Satisfaction Guaranteed

The Bible says: “Keep your lives from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5 NIV


Moderation is the key to success. Never be obsessed. Greed is the root of evil. Imagine having a sweet tooth and the scent of melting chocolate mixed with butter and vanilla emanating from the kitchen. Straight away your hand reaches the oven and the next second you are crunching a crispy choc top cookie. Unsatisfied, you reach for another then another though momentarily you are contented. In the end, you feel stuffed and discontentment creeps in.
We need to learn how to differentiate “wants” and “needs”. A heart that is filled with gratitude for God’s daily is less likely to long for mere “wants” which do not have the ability to provide deep, lasting satisfaction. James 1:17 says that “every good and perfect gift is from the above.” These should be the kind of gifts that are longed for by the heart, not the eyes. And these God-given treasures inculcate both thankfulness and contentment. Simplify your life.
A simple life is a contented life. A contented life begins with a thankful heart. Spend some moments daily to meditate what and how much God has provided you and remember to count his blessings.


Thoughts for Simply Living



“I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living plenty or want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4”12-13 NIV


Contentment is a pearl of great price, and whoever procures it at the expense of then thousand desires makes a wise and a happy purchase. ~ John Balguy


“Godliness is actually a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. For we bought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content.” 1 Timothy 6:6-8 NASB


The heart is rich when it is content, and it is always content when its desires are fixed on God. Nothing can bring greater happiness than doing God’s will for the love of God. ~Migel Febres Cordero-Munzo

Simplify

Shop to fill physical needs, pray to fill emotional ones.
Learn to distinguish the invisible line between “I want” and “I need”.
Write God a thank-you note in your mind each night before going to sleep.
Throw away the department store circulars from the Sunday paper without looking at them.
Pray consistently.



One step at a time, and that well placed,
We reach the grandest height;
One stroke at a time, earth’s hidden stores
Will slowly come to light;
One seed at a time, and the forest grows;
One drop at a time, and the river flows
Into the boundless sea.
Author Unknown

Setting Traps for Pack Rats

The more possessions, the more worry.
Hillel

A small child fills his pocket with seashells as he toddles along the beach. A young boy counts his allowance - one more time - to ensure that he has enough for another pack of pokemon cards. A teenage girl places yet another stuffed bear on the already overcrowded comforter on her bunk bed. A woman hangs a new pair of jeans from Levis in her fully packed closet. The desire to acquire is a battle that begins in childhood and continues into old age.

While we may gain a certain joy in hunting for yet another painting of Elvis on black velvet or a junker car we feel compelled to bring back to life, we will pay a price. Ans that price is not just what disappears from our wallet. We pay the price in the time we spend shopping for, cleaning, repairing, and eventually disposing of the treasures we choose to fill our home.

Jesus may have been called many things during his time here on earth, but he was never called a pack rat. Though the last three years of his life were spent traveling, the Gospels don't mention Jesus picking up even one souvenir along the way. He encouraged his disciples to travel light, leaving their extra staffs and tunics and even money behind. Granted, Jesus and his disciples depended on the generosity of those in the villages they visited to meet their physical needs. First and foremost, however, they chose to live a simple life, possessing only what they needed for their mission.

Living a simple life isn't synonymous with taking a vow of poverty. But making prayerful purchases and being resolute on getting rid of things we no longer need will help us go a long way toward cleaning up the clutter in our life. If something is broken, fix it or get rid of it. When it comes to paper, file it or toss it. Learn to appreciate the beauty of something without having to own it. Most importantly, keep the unique mission God has given us in this life clearly in mind. Then, let our home be a reflection of that purpose. Amen.

Food for Thought
With God's help, our heart should determine how much our hands will hold.

Thoughts for Simply Living

Jesus said, "Watch out and guard yourselves from every kind of greed; because your true life is not made up of the things you own, no matter how rich you may be." Luke 12:15 GNT

Remember that when you leave this earth, you can take with you nothing that you have received - only what you have given: a full heart enriched by honest service, live, sacrifice and courage.
Saint Francis of Assisi

Jesus said, "Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:20-21 NIV

You will never be satisfied with impermanent, passing things, for you were not created to find your rest in them.
Thomas A Kempis

REMEMBER...

The riches God speaks highly of are those that can be stored in the heart.

People are eternal, but things break, get lost, and wear out.

Being intentional in your spending leaves you with more money to use as God leads.

Heaven's gates aren't wide enough for you to bring along a moving van.


There is nothing wrong with us possessing richest. The wrong comes when riches possess us.
Billy Graham


Resources: Simple Living for You by GRQ, Inc

The Road Not Taken

Recently i have been in a state of topsy-turvy. Since Obama won the key to White House, I got my business to care for.

What agitated me is not my SAM public exam, though the outcome of the result during the Christmas Eve will determine my future but the University to opt for. So far my papers are good, except one. Not much worries over the exam.

Picking my 1st choice from a list of 6 universities is time-consuming, brain-straining and frustrating. Every university has its own pros and cons, strength and outstanding aspects and there are just too many things to consider. From quality to reputation and from cost to environment. Distance does matter while location is paramount. Don't you expect me to go to the outback and remote area to study. That will really drive me crazy.

Sydney sounds mouth-watering. A big and advanced city. But with astronomical living expenses. UNSW - U Need to be Super Wealthy! Compromise the distance, cost or quality?

QUT? Quality or Quantity U Think?

RMIT? Royal to MelbourneU but if your application to get into MelbourneU Is Terminated, RMIT welcome you.

Arghhh.... You gotta have Faith. God will show the way.

Yes We Can

"If there is anyone out there who still doubts America is a place where all thing is possible; who still wonders, if the dream of our founder is alive at all time; who still questions, the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer."

Stunner. Absolutely stunner. He is going to be the 1st Black President. He has brushed aside all the possibilities and impossibilities, he has turned down the Republican votes and tore them apart, he has swept the electoral votes with great margin, he has gained the immense confidence of the people, he has sailed through the critical period though the road ahead is daunting, he deserves it all. Changes will and have come to America. That's his promise.

"The road ahead will be long, our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even in one term. But America i have never been more hopeful, that I am tonight we will get there, I promise you as the people we will get there." Yes we can.

"But tonight because of what we did on this day, in this election, at this defining moment, changes come to America."

"To those who will tear the world down, we will defeat you and to those who seek peace and security, we support you and to all those who have wondered if America's beacon still burns as bright tonight, we prove once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from the minomer arm or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideas, democracy, liberty, opportunity and unyielding hope. "

"Our men touched down on the moon, a wall came down in Berlin, a world was connected by our own science and imagination and this year, in this election, you attached your finger to a string, and casted your vote because after 106 years in America, through the best of time and darkest of hours, she knows how America can change. YES WE CAN. "

"America we have come so far, we have seem so far, but there is so much more to do."

Aforementioned are few quotes from Obama's victory speech in Chicago after being selected as the new upcoming president of the States.

The challenges ahead are great. Some are insurmountable, some are far beyond reach. Some are just ridiculous, some are irreversible. But we have a great president. We see the beacon of hope, we see the burning desire, we hear the voices of the people, we put our arms together, we take up our obligation and play our part, we will bring changes to the world as one nation and as one people.

Obama, you will be a great leader. People voted you, people put you in place, people can pull you down as well. Unity is the key to success. Your emphatic win is something to be proud of, a great legend of the man's history but do remember, people need God as well. That exceeds the precedence of everything else. God Bless Obama. God Bless America.

America Next President..

The game is on. The bet goes wild. All the eyes are on the States' next president. Despite the recent economics meltdown, regardless of the astronomical amount of bailouts by the central banks in the world to slow down the cut in consumption spending, dovetailing with the aim to save the world financial behemoths, the focus on the US Presidency never fades.

Who is your money on? The African American or the white? Numerous issues have been raised and the debates between Obama and McCain continue to catch the limelight of the world. Words like hope, change and progress might seem like naive campaign slogan-eering in the past. Democracy is after all, a process that will either write off the history, embarking on a new page in the human's history or the prelude of reformation and change. It can only be achieved through the exercise of casting votes by the people of a country, signifying the people's urges and voices to dismantle the current government and policies.

When Obama won the Democratic Party's Presidency Nominee against the much more favoured Hilary Clinton, the world was stunned, even the blacks were flabbergasted. So the rising of a black US presidency candidate is well against the odds. Most Americans are still living by the past history. There was a disbelief in the idea that America would really vote of a black man. We'd like to be wrong, but we think we're right. (Coates, T.N., 2008).

Why? African Americans and the blacks are deemed to be the outsiders. Slavery is the blacks' disappointment. Prejudice and racism have always been the centre of all issues. But after 8 years of ruling under The Bush Administration, people demand changes. If Obama won the presidency, the most famous black man in the States will no longer be the one who dribbles the ball or clutches the microphone bringing you the hip-hops. The race is hot. Next week, on the 4th of November, the world will mark a new era after ages of rallies, polls, public appearances, debates and the dumping of cash by both parties. Be prepared. Let's witness.

MacCain or Obama? The dice is in your hand (Americans).

My Dear Reader...

"Chelsea is dull and dumb", not one statement made out of RESPECT eh? and it may have been out of your grudges, but i would no longer diss arsenal in the same way as you've degraded chelsea, not after all these years dude. and it all depends on how one perceives it, really. yes i switched team for the goodies goodies roman granted upon the team, and yea, the team was restructed in such an intimidating way that any other team without a financial capability would jz clench in frustration and self-pity. but i'm sure arsenal could afford massive names, maybe not as many as that could bring the team into a reformation, but you get what i mean. and i do bow down to wenger for his entire concept of how a team should be formed. and yea, one would say his effort in developing the kids would eventually come into fruition. Resistance and self-belief might prove their worth at times. but before they've finally made their point, i am looking forward to your reaching the bar that we've already established up here yea.

The thing i love about football is not only that its probably the only sport i love doing and i'm better at, but also the fact of having myself being in the picture of one of the top clubs does jz as much in igniting my passion for it. its all a matter of keeping oneself in touch with the game, not for all, but at least for me. i could have persevered with arsenal, but i opted to not overload my basketful of disappointment in life.

I find it hard to argue that i hadnt lost my faith, and its jz as hard to clarify with you all those reasons behind my loss of faith. Perhaps Henry understands it better and might provide you with a better picture.."

Above is a critical comment posted my dear friend. Undeniably, everyone has his very own perception and understanding towards certain situation and matter. Everybody deserves that, part of human elementary right. But in here, i would juz like to add in my personal opinion. Regarding the sentence, "i am looking forward to your reaching the bar that we've already established up here yea", i would like to inquire my dear reader's explanation. If you mean that Arsenal is just trailing behind and struggling to compete with Chelsea, i don't agree and will not easily give in. What do you mean by being on top? I see that Chelsea was struggling to gain title which in the end they succumbed to failure, based on previous season. If they are really good, why not being crowned the champion? Furthermore, the bar being established by Chelsea is not what Arsenal desires, but a higher and more intimidating standard. Chelsea is not very different from Arsenal. I should regard both teams at the same level. We cant forget other teams as well, such as Liverpool, Hull City and just every team in EPL, not forgetting The Old Trafford. Every team possesses the ability and capability to deliver and to win. The best will not be all the while, the best. Most of the time we regard and perceive that when a lower so called smaller club wins against a big team like Chelsea and Arsenal, we say it is pure luck and miracle. That is a negative perception towards the beauty of football, and we are just condescending other teams which deserve the same concentration and attention from us. The crux of the issue is how competitive a team is and spectators and fans' point of view. A match between Arsenal and Chelsea, dare you say that you are hundred percent confident that Chelsea will sail through? I bet i dare not. I will just presume that it is 50-50. Throwing all football frenetic fans a crucial question, who plays better football, in the sense that it is more enjoyable and exciting, Arsenal or Chelsea? Here i would just mention Arsenal and Chelsea. Dull and dumb, Chelsea claimed that as they used to be. I see the limelight that they are improving and delivering better standard of football. If a fan supports a team just because of the capability of the team to accumulate more points regardless of the quality, then I will say that the fan is just too shallow.

Moving on, touching on the loss of faith, my dear reader, you showed no faith and loyal support at all. There is always a second chance. Failure is not one-off. I cant really figure out the entire reason behind your loss of faith in Arsenal, but i perceive that you are after big names. Regarding disappointment, football is round. Again, win or lose, you have no room to voice up, either to determine. A last second goal can mess up everything. But still, is fact. You need to accept that. Are you disappointed because of losing games or merely because Wenger did not sign up big names under his squad? Henry, he disappointed me by all means. It may be more frustrating for him that after a year, he hasn't settle down and find a field that really suits him. He may bottle up his feelings and affirm that his decision to leave Arsenal is perfectly right. But who knows? Anyway, my dear reader, you have your point and argument there. Bravo.

To sum up, my concern regarding Football and Arsenal is that, I will support and remain faithful towards Arsenal and other teams as long as they are able to produce interesting and total football.

Fan of the Blue and His Brother

He used to be Arsenal most frenzied fan. Abruptly, he lost his faith, making him the most disappointing Arsenal fan i ever know. He lost his loyalty. He lost his allegiance. He lost his faithfulness. I lost nothing, but a counterpart in sharing the transfer market, matches, scores, schedule, preview, and just everything about Arsenal. "Arsenal Sucks," he said. His brother concurred.

Chelsea is his new passion. Something he dotes on. I think he is feeble-minded. His root is not firm. He has underestimated Arsenal by joining the sideline of Chelsea. Why? Because Abramovich dumped in few pounds to own the club. Wealth, signifying Strength, Power and Wow! He swept the market. He signed big players though some turned out to be shoddy, valueless players as it hit their twilight of their careers. The line up is strong, until now. The players are world renowned top players, multi-nations. However, some were and are frustrated. Everyone wants to be in the first team. But sorry, manager's decision is final. Whether you are the apple of his eyes or vice versa, his eyes have conveyed the message when you are on the training pitch. Never ever go against your manager no matter how great you are because they are dominant, you are diminutive. Even Beckam gotta learn to be a good boy. If you start complaining and throwing tantrum and pouting, either he will willingly open the door and invite you to leave or you gonna sit patiently on the icy-cold bench and watch you teammates to pass the ball around. You will feel envy and that's your disastrous period in your career.

Chelsea. The Blue. Stamford Bridge. Money. Aforementioned are close-linked which makes Chelsea the most prominent money-battered or money-shattered club. Without money, Arsenal fans will be cheering and show their support to Chelsea when Chelsea plays against teams like Nottingham, Bristol or even Leeds.

Undeniably, Chelsea and Arsenal fans will never ever share the common ground. They keep an eye on each other. They are interdependent outside the pitch. On the pitch, they battle to gain pride. Neither team can afford to lose. But there's one comparison between Arsenal and Chelsea. Arsenal produces enchanting and lively football. Chelsea is dull and dumb. They show no colours and beauty. Still, i respect Chelsea, because i respect my friend. His brother is still out of talk because he knows nothing but argues pointlessly and with same cliche. I am bored.

Pour Out

Darkness prevails as sunset fades

Breeze carouses my skin

Like a lover hugging me

And my heart gone with the wind

Standing still

In the midst of the blurring rain

Holding still

The promise that I’ve made

When I said I will be right here waiting for you

Pour Out

My unceasing love towards you

Pour Out

My indescribable feelings towards you

Baby, oh baby

May the distance strengthen our faith

May our absence make our heart grows fonder

Until the day when we meet again

Together we will soar high into the sky

Travelling from coast to coast

To find a place where the love lasts forever

Faith, Trust, Patience and Obedience are all what we have

That will sail us through, my love.

In Him we live.

Definition of Love

When people say ‘I love u’, they can mean very different things. Six different ways:

1. Romantic love: Love is an all-consuming emotional experience. Love at 1st sight is typical, and physical attraction is essential. A romantic lover might agree with the statement that ‘My lover and I have the right physical ‘chemistry’ between us’.

2. Possessive love: The possessive lover is emotionally intense, jealous, obsessed with the beloved. The possessive lover is highly dependent on the beloved and therefore fears rejection. He or she might agree that ‘’When my lover doesn’t pay attention to me, I feel sick all over.’’

3. Best friends love: Love is a comfortable intimacy that slowly grows out of companionship, mutual sharing, and self-disclosure. A best friend lover is thoughtful, warm, and compassionate. He or she might agree that ‘My most satisfying love relationships have developed from good friendship.’

4. Pragmatic love: This is the ‘’love that goes shopping for a suitable mate, and all it asks is that the relationship work well, that the two partners be compatible and satisfy each other’s basic needs’’. The practical lover seeks contentment rather than excitement. He or she might agree that ‘’One consideration in choosing a partner is how he or she will reflect on my career.’’

5. Altruistic love: This style of love is unconditionally caring, giving, and forgiving. Love means a duty to give to the loved one with no strings attached. An altruistic lover might agree that ‘I cannot be happy unless I place my lover’s happiness before my own.’

6. Game playing love: This person plays at love as others play tennis or chess: to enjoy the ‘love game’ and to win it. No relationship lasts for long, usually ending when the partner becomes boring or too serious. A game player might agree that ‘‘I enjoy playing the ‘game of love’ with a number of different partners.’’

Passionate Love and Companionate Love

Passionate love has been described as “a wildly emotional state: tender and sexual feelings, elation and pain, anxiety and relief, altruism and jealousy coexist in a confusion of feelings”.
Passionate love is often said to strike suddenly and fade quickly. This type of love is intense but fragile and often short-lived.

Companionate love has been defined as “the affection we feel for those with whom our lives are deeply intertwined.” This is a more practical type of love that emphasizes trust, caring, and tolerance of the partner’s flaws and idiosyncrasies. The emotional tone of companionate love is more moderate; warmth and affection are more common than extreme passions. When partners are separated because of travel or illness, they often have intense feelings of loneliness and desire.

So, what sort of Love are you, my friend looking for?

Jacking

The Jacks

We are an "underground society" currently active in INTI-UC. The four founders and pioneers of this elite society are:

Lee Teik Ming (TM)

Ong Shing Jay (JAY)

Anbiniyar (ANBIN)

Lim Geok Poh (GP)

Why the name "Jacks"? IT all started in Macroeconomics class in July 2007. It was such a coincidence that the name of our young and beautiful lecturer was Mdm. Sheila "Rose". Out of curiosity we asked her where is your Jack? She said that he is in her heart. Therefore the pioneers introduced themselves as Jacks. TM, the class Rep, became "Jack Boss", while the rest named themselves as "Jack 1", "Jack 2", and "Jack 3". They then opened the memberships to other JPA students ("uniquely" talented gents only). Numbering the Jacks was not efficient. Therefore we resorted to give ourselves cool names. That was the beginning of mighty Jack's legacy.

Activities

• Birthday Celebrations for Jack members
• Couple Hunting around INTI
• Hijacking - jacking in and jacking off
• Messing around in INTI

Jack's Song

I love you, you love me;
We are happy Jacks family;
Because I Jack you Jack
Everyone is Jack;
We came here to hijack ...

Members:

Teik Ming------------------Jack Boss
Shing Jay-------------------JackPot
Anbin-----------------------BlackJack
Geok Poh-------------------Jack Skellington
Ying Zhe--------------------Jackie Chan
Pooi Kiat--------------------Jack Sparrow
Sing Hoe--------------------Jacker
Wen Hoong------------------Jack & Jill
Kok Hong--------------------Jack in The Box
Kelvin-----------------------Jack of All Trades
Alvin------------------------LumberJack
Chun Hee--------------------Jack-Jack
Khai Zhi---------------------Jack The Supplier
Ernest-----------------------Mr. JackFruit
Chris------------------------Jacket
Sheldon----------------------Jack The Ripper
Azim-------------------------Jack F***ing Twist
Cunn Yong-------------------Jackal
Weai Siang-------------------Perverted Jack

So here are some of the memorable and heroic activities and mission accomplished by JACKS...

Gayish Group Photo taken at Common Room

All In

Furless and Furfull Legs

We Will Rock You

JackBoss Giving Lecture

Jacks In Formal

TO be updated...

My Passion

6 is a significant figure in my college life. After 6pm, somebody for heaven's sake will knock on my door. If desperate, they will bang forcefully at it. It is something that i am fond of. But sometimes i will choose to shrug it off. "Yes, sure. - I am darn busy. - No la, no people playing wat? - Is Vincent playing?" That will be my responses.

Sports and games are just part of my artery and vena in my life. I cant imagine days without running on the field, producing a superb pass, a wonderful and genius one-two with tremendous chemistry, a marvellous and stunning long-ranged 3 points or just a simple shoot. I am not a play maker nor a star shooter, but i have great passion and burning desire to win every game. That's the spirit that every sportsman should possess. Undeniably, sportsmanship is of precedence. Playing in a team is much more difficult than playing solo. Chemistry is of essence. Everyone is equally important. Everyone has their own specific role to play. Everyone performance will determine the winning chance of the team, the fluency of the game play and the margin of the score. Whether the game is emphatic, lopsided, or close-run.

This is my team. Roseveille, the underdog.

He is no more Innocent. He has a Gal.

He is my friend, of course he is. People call him Lanky. We call him A bi. His family calls him Baby. I call him Kiong Mo - kind of Vege. He is moderately tall, curvaceous figure ( haha ), cheeky face, sparkling and seductive eyes, sexy ass. ( I guess I gt all the description wrong ). Anyway, he is a nice guy that all sorts of women dream of, not because of his wealth and background or perhaps it is, but because of his personality and character. He is charming and stunning, to impress him.

He is who he is. He is innocent but it is the past. Breaking news or lagging news, he is owned. He found the thunder and the lightning struck him deadly. My friend once told me that A Bi is no longer as free as he is. He is unavailable. I wondered. Seeing is believing. But that is where the term infatuate originated. I shouldn't say Lust but be Caution. Love is all around. When you light the spark and it goes wild, you gonna take control or you needa extinguish it or it gonna turn out to be wild fire. Once a virgin, you will not always be a virgin. What matters and the cornerstone of keeping your virgin is your sheer determination and extreme understanding. If you say No, then safeguard of that and mean what you say, no matter under whatever circumstances. It is always nice to see, nice to touch but once broken, we consider sold. That's for goodness sake.

So his story goes. Information is what i lack of. Or presumably i shouldn't talk and reveal too much over here. Coz i dont have the 1st hand information! It's not rumours though. I am anticipating and looking forward to meeting my bestie. My conclusion is that, Bi is no longer the innocent little boy. He is not a brat. He has widened his vision and eyesight, or perhaps all the while he is just acting like a Jeckyl and Hyde. To conceal is to remain elusive. Tryst and secret rendezvous are my ultimate target.

Newbie

Nicol David, the renowned world top squash player is one of very few sport players that Malaysia can be proud of. CIMB has been the royal sponsor with the logo emblazoned on her jerseys.

Squash. What sort of game is that? I wonder. I am a sport enthusiast, ranging from basketball to badminton. I play and indulge myself in several games. After all, squash is new to me, and I have yet found my passion in it. Nevertheless, i bet i will give it a try. So far as what i comprehend, it is more or less like badminton. Just that the racket is little bit shorter in length and heavier. I am still learning but after all, it's a nice game. Perhaps i should have looked into it earlier and discovered my talent somewhere out there. Who knows? Something interesting. Squash.

World Updates

Been few days i din have my hands on my books dy. Feel rather guilty. Tasteless. Over and over again it is still the same stale stuff piercing through my eyes and deep into my brain. I wonder hw much will be absorbed. Or perhaps it's too concentrated and needa be diluted. But with wat solution for which solute? It's not my cup of tea. something more interesting and appetizing, something that will keep me going and motivated, please.

Browsing and surfing have always been my passion. I wonder. Ha. Reuters.com. Breaking News. World Updates. So, what's happening in the world right now? Headlines? I bet not all of you pore over the news everyday, some do not even have the habit of reading news, they are just too --- infoidiot.

so what's up in the market? Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) plummeted more than 400 points with NASDAQ still downward slopping. The world market is a nightmare. Investors are the sheeps waiting to be slaughtered. Whether you will continue to stay in the market or declare bankrupt is just a matter of time. People are anticipating, they are praying. Either you double your coin or prepare to roll up your blanket and hit your ass on the road. The probability of winning the gamble is totally - impossible. The world is moving towards great depression. Stagflation is underway, rearing its ugly head to inject and inflict great pains in all households.

The dollar weakened against the yen as global recession fears returned to center stage after governments around the world pledged trillions of dollars for bank bailouts. Bailouts = risks. Is it the right policy taken by governments in the world or there isnt any other choice? Big names on Wall Street go belly up, many left unemployed, including top CEOs. Lehman Brothers, the 158-year old financial behemoth is facing the nadir, a day of calamity on Sept 15. Financial meltdown continue to impact all the corners of every country. Most still denying defeat but realistic is that "it's over".

How long will this recession be? 10 years? 20 years? When will we, the masters of the universe be able to see the stock market to bounce back and an upturn in the business cycle?

Despite all the bads, crude oil prices continue to fall due to a cut in demand resulting from the economic weakness. On the 15th, the US crude oil down $4 a barrel at $74.63. It may be a good sign but the actual fact is that it may not be. Though world crude oil prices continue to plummet from the high point of $140 per barrel in August, the food prices do not show any sign of melting.

Entertainment. U.S. pop singer Madonna will divorce British film director Guy Ritchie, the singer's spokeswoman in London said on Wednesday. No comment. Celebrities are celebrities. Due to lust and gratification, one night stand, lightning marriage and pregnancy are just common.

Nites... Crap too much over here. (oh yeah, bear in mind that NASDAQ, Dow and S&P are still dropping while stock sell-off accelerates ). Wat a day.

5 More to be Gunned

Yeah! Finally i am able to take a breather. So desperate to take a rest now. Does the one week tests take a toll on me? To the detriment of my health? Late nites.. Tiredness.. huh... too much to swallow... Have not been sleeping and resting well for the past weeks...

The trial is accomplished. On my list there are 5 more to go, and they are the utmost important one, the weight age is just too great, it will decide which uni i will head and land! wow... TER, how much do u know?

Anyway, it has been a great day. Right after my economics test, my peers and I celebrated birthday for Michael the Teng. It's a typical way, not to say traditional but rather, to me it's just unique. After greetings and cheering, off i go, with my dearest Val val.

We headed straight for Timesquare, where we intended to have our lunch and catch a movie. Anyway, we stopped at Shabu-shabu coz the choices just din suit my taste and preference. Val can just gulp down anything under the sun (haha), so it's not a problem to me. I dislike sushi, nippon cuisine... just tip of the iceberg and more you get to know.(bluff you if you dont mind)

Not a so-up-to-red-letter-day as hardly any nice and worth movie to watch on the board. Mamma mia - sounds nice and pretty good but time is of constraint. We opted for Eagle Eye. It's bit ridiculous and uncomprehending but anyway we spent 2 hours at the GHC.

Tummy is beating the paradiddle and two-four, with Val's tummmy acting as bass drum. Neat and coherent. Time for dinner! To our despair, it's raining chunhee and jiamin, a just-in-time downpour from the inconsiderate grey grey sky. Traffic came to a standstill and congestion was imminent. . . . . Long long story. Where did we end up? How? What did we encounter? Haha... Is a secret.

Well well well. Time to collect my laundry! zzzz...

Chasing The Time

Kinda busy week. Sitting for my trial exam. I'm not burning midnight oil but there's juz too much stuff to study and remember. Imagine a one and a half year learning materials to flip through, browse through, pore over or even squeeze them into the brain cell. It's torturing. But what to do? It's life, as a student.

Well, this few weeks juz barely able to enjoy myself to the fullest becoz there is always something on my mind. Somewhere out there. Guess? Ha. Tests and quizzes la. Plus time management. On the surface time management is not really a problem. Perhaps the spirit of kiasuness gua. I always wonder, is it really worth to spend a large portion of time on studies, or better to spend on both studies and extra-curricular activities such as attending campus programmes, activites, functions, balls, trips, societies, sports clubs to name a few. Tepuk dada, tanya selera.

Hai..

Just attended an impromptu briefing conducted by JPA officer. Our pressure weighs even more. Reminding and repeating the same stuff but worth to listen and heed to, as I am under sponsor. They feed me and what i need to do pretty simple - study well, achieve the requirement set by my tauke, get into the relevant Uni and off I go. Not only that, i need to grab hold and get my degree or honours in the time allocated - 4 years over in Australia. Lastly, come back and be patriotic - serve the Government for 6 years or dare enough, break the bond and run for life. If u watch prison break u will understand, somebody is after you but he is demanding for "payment" not gunning me down. Every single cent they spend on me. The road not taken. Which one will you choose? Ha. Juz kidding. But who knows?

University applications settled. 3 conditional offers in hand. Waiting for the other 3, patiently. 3 weeks to go for my public exam. 3 months to go before departing for Australia(Prayerfully). The journey seems endless, but it's juz a matter of time. Time flies, undeniably. Pretty soon I will come to it.

Juz leave some words over here. Bidding adieu for a moment, gotta study for my last paper - Economics. Cheers!

Far Away Here Today

Of late, destructive news struck me, leaving me dejected and down in the doldrums. Sigh.. An awful lot to swallow on an empty stomach.

What is life? Unfathomable.

Are you ready for the doomsday? Are you ready to depart, leaving behind your loved ones and every single things that you dote on? It's hard to say goodbye, undeniably. What about apocalypse? If disaster strikes abruptly, to your great consternation, what is your reaction?

What if your close-knit friend or your next of kin breathed his last until you realize that u have not been treating him well or something u did to him that u feel so bad n regretful that yet to seek for his forgiveness? How about someone you love but she or he cant even has the chance to hear the golden-heart-melting 3 words from your mouth? What if ... what if... Life is juz dramatic.

LIfe is not in our control. Give thanks for everyday and be grateful.

I am fearless of death because i have heaven in my heart. My heavenly father the super daddy is my strong tower, my source of strength, my refuge, my comforter and His marvellous love overflows in me. Trust and Obey. Faith.

"For none of us lives to himself alone and none of us dies to himself alone. If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord." Romans 14:7-8 Of that I'm sure.

How about You?

Tragedy

Life is like a rollercoaster. Something that changes dramatically.

Death is not the last word. But people have great apprehension towards it. Why? Because there are uncertainty, possibility and predictability. Death creeps nearer, they fumble.

Life is transient. It is a burning candle. Can you make it a lighthouse that shines in darkness, that is the cruz of the matter, that matters most. It is the cornerstone and precedence of the degree of a meaningful and fantabulous life.

Tragedy is part and parcel of our life. Nobody likes it but forced to accept it.

Goodbye my friend, Jian Ang. Flabbergasted to hear the news, and it takes another step to accept it. The memories that we shared will not be easily be effaced, of that i am sure. I treasure you as my friend, though we re not as close. May your soul rest in peace.

I will pray, send a little prayer that the Heavenly Father continue to watchover, take care, protect and grant your family peace, love, faith, trust and strength. God be with Chan's family.

Never Condescend, Never Underestimate

Being an ardent fan of Arsenal that whenever they win i will go delirious, I juz enjoy and indulge in the passing and attacking game that the young bunch of kids produce. Though they are young, they play with confidence, setting up relentless attacks while they put up stronghold at the defence line. The game juz appetizing, stimulating and marvellous. It will never be a dull and boring game, that some teams seem that as a strategy - right after u score, pull back all the players and defend!!! Come on, fans and supporters deserve something more interesting and positive.

I have been showing my great support and faith in Arsenal since the very young age of 11. I went through the vintage season when Thiery Henry, Robert Pires, Viera and more world renowned best players were faithful servants and machines of Arsenal, producing a tremendous run of 49 unbeaten matches in hand, record and history.

But of course, on the converse side of the coin or rather the downturn period that traumatized Arsenal, i witnessed my favourite team being knock out, knock off and knock down. The prestigious Champion's League Trophy seemed to be so close and almost in hand and yet it seemed to be so abyss, unreachable. Arsenal was 1-2 down in the hand of Barcelona.

Tonight, the 27th of September, was another disaster day for Arsenal. The match was against a newbie in the English Premier League, the Hull City. Guess u never heard of that. Three days ago, Arsene Wenger, the manager of Arsenal gallantly sent out a team with the average age of 19 years old where they trashed Sheffield United 6-0. A magnificent match with superb finishing and marvellous goals being produced. However, tonight was a frustrating game, indeed. The players were striving their best to produce an early goal, but of no avail. All their efforts were juz futile. Facing the City's players, Arsenal was trying hard to discover their pace, passion and the kindred spirit to entertain the fans. They failed. The 1st half ended in stalemate - goalless although Arsenal was the better side, dominating the possession.

As the 2nd half kicked off, somehow Arsenal found their pace and they strike through. But it was not an easy goal. Right after that, Hull City pulled back with 2 dramatic goals in a blink of eye, sending the City's fans cheering and yelling. Wat a match! Arsenal juz totally lost the confidence and almost everything, presenting a lacklustre game and yet it was against a lousy team!

Never condescend, never underestimate. Coz the worst is right after You. A great lesson that Arsenal must keep in mind, the mistakes were not irrevocable. There is still hope. Let the failure be the source of motivation and enhancement of the team. Juz keep polishing and bring on the best, winning is juz a matter of time.

Never condescend, never underestimate.

You Are Not an Accident

We are not an accident, nor our birth a mistake. God expected our birth. He wanted to create us. The Bible says, “The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me.”Psalm 138:8a
God prescribed our race, color of skin, hair, and all other feature. He has His own purpose. He prescribed our nature talents and our unique personality. The Bible says: “You know me inside and out, you know every bone in my body; You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit, how I was sculpted from nothing into something.” Psalm 139:15

God created us with reason. Everything is under His plan, our place of birth, the time, how long we would live, our death and so on. In all, He planned it all for His purpose. Our parents had the DNA God wanted to make us. There are illegitimate parents, but there are no illegitimate children. God’s purpose took into account human error, including sin. God never commits mistakes. He has the reason and is the reason for everthing he creates. The Bible says, “From one man he made every nation,… and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.” Act 17:26

God creates us because of his love. The Bible says, “Long before he laid down earth’s foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of s love.” Ephesians 1:4a
How much does God love and value us? He Bible says, “God decided to give us life through the word of truth so we might be the most important of all the things he made.” James 1:18

God is not haphazard as he planned it all with great precision. He is the greatest physicist, biologist and scientist. He musters the exact specifications that make human life possible.

Why did God do all this, taking in account of all the trouble of creating a universe for us? The reason is pretty simple. Because he is a GOD OF LOVE. It is hard to fathom or understand, but it’s fundamentally reliable. The Bible tells us, “God is love.” 1 John 4:8 It doesn’t say God has love. He is Love and the essence of God’s character is LOVE. How great is our God? God says, “I have carried you since you were born; I have taken care of you from your birth. Even when you are old, I will be the same. Even when your hair has turned gray, I will take care of you. I made you and will take care of you.” Isaiah 46:3-4

Be reminded that our life has profound meaning because there is a God who made us for a reason. Only when we make God the reference point of our lives, we are able to discover the meaning and purpose living on this earth.

You are who you are for a reason.
You’re part of an intricate plan.
You’re a precious and perfect unique design,
Called God’s special woman or man.

You look like you look for a reason.
Our God made no mistake.
He knit you together within the womb,
You’re just what he wanted to make.

The parents you had were the ones he chose,
And no matter how you may feel,
They were custom-designed with God’s plan in mind,
And they bear the Master’s seal.

No, that trauma you faced was not easy.
And God wept that it hurt you so;
But it was allowed to shape your heart
So that into his likeness you’d grow.

You are who you are for a reason,
You’ve been formed by the Master’s rod.
You are who you are, beloved,
Because there is a God!


Russell Kelfer

Source: The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren

Gosh..

Super Duper Tired. Well, it's a brand new day ahead though it can really be a "pressure-stressful-week".. Coz it's my study week b4 sitting for my trial exam. But anyway, i have not been catching enuf sleep recently. Though knowing the aftermath of having late nites, I left choice less. Packed schedule and inundated assignments/tests/quizzes/presentations during my last few weeks of my last semester in my College really gt me drained n drowned. Huh.. I could barely able to heave a sigh of relief at the moment yet nor being able to take a respite from everything. I am just being too too too too BUSY!!

Though it's Saturday morning, i could only manage to accumulate 5 hours of sleep and got to push my still-exhausted body to sort things out. What a contrast that my dear roomie is still half-dead in bed(though he slept very late as well).. His two alarm clocks cum PC alarm juz blasted off bt could never wake the dead fish up. Oops...

Anyway, gt to start my day with something meaningful.

Historical Moment...

It's never too late... Where is my passion? I am still on fire. Keep focusing and get'cha my head in the game.

There I go. Launched myblog. Frankly, I have no idea behind creating this blog. Presumably juz to add some colours to my life, to further titivate and make amendments to it. Being mindful of the things that surround me, passers-by that leave no footprint but yet deserve my appreciation and remembrance... Hope that my blog will be a channel of blessings to U somewhere out there.

MYBLOG, I declare - Right Under way. Here I go.