Finding Security in Obscurity

Starting to be Alive

2009-01-13T15:37:00.003+08:00

This blog will be coming alive again..... very soon!!!! So watch out!!!

The Dive....and moving on

2008-02-20T09:01:00.008+08:00

Like I mentioned in the last post, scuba diving was really the highlight of the trip for me and the gang. It was really a glimpse into the life of a mermaid, not that they exist, but if they did at least I can say that I enjoyed the 1/2 hour experience of being a merman. Here's more pictures of our diving expedition before we move to the next activity.

Instructor teaching us how to breath like Darth Vader

Getting set to go into the water. I was really expecting us to backward flip into the water like what we watch on discovery channel, but alas because we were bunch of first timers, we had to suit up in the water.

where's Nemo??

We sure did feel like successful PADI certified divers after the 1/2 hour experience.

Activity 3: Surfing

Next highlight of the trip had to be surfing. In all my previous trips to Bali, I never did try out surfing. Heck, even in my 2 years staying in Brisbane, 45 minutes away from the best waves in the world, Surfers Paradise I never ever tried surfing. So this time I thought I should try it out.

The only motivation I had during surf lessons was that if Hock could stand so can I and that was what motivated Yuen and Valarie as well. Surfing is not easy thing to do, the hardest part is actually not standing on the board, it is actually swimming out and finding a wave to catch and finding the correct time to stand. A lot of body action is required and now I understand how those surfer dudes can have a "surfer body".

Learning to surf is one thing but there was another lesson I learned too. That is to always no matter what.. put sun block. You see, I was so excited and all that I forgot all about the sunblock. I hurriedly suit up

Only to come back from 3 hours in the sun having two contrasting body shade.

Lesson very well learned.

It's alive again

2008-02-19T00:34:00.011+08:00

Wow!! This sure has been the longest silence ever. 4 1/2 months of no activity here, I wonder do anybody still bother to come visit this blog. It's so dead that even the chat box has died a "natural death". I really wonder who are the 5 people who still checks this blog faithfully. Whoever you are, thank you for being faithful.. your patience has finally paid off.

Anyway, I thought what best to start this blog again then to talk about my long awaited, long deserving holiday. It happened just before Chinese New Year, Yuen Wei, Valarie, Rachael and myself decided in early March 2007 that we would board a plane

Heading towards the beautiful Island of Bali. There was actually 5 of us in the group originally, but Hock had to ffk last minute and left me babysitting 3 girls. But still it was great company as it was the 3 girls that took good care of me.

Anyway, here's the deal.. my dad hooked us up to stay with his friend's friend who had a house in Bali. So we weren't sure how to house would look like and all I remembered of Bali, majority of houses weren't that big, so we all geared ourselves up with sleeping begs only to find that we weren't staying in a house but a huge 3 storey bungalow where I had a king size bed to myself

And the girls had a huge super king size bed to roll around in

you can see it fits 3 comfortably

Well thanks to Val over rolling around where she did her kung fu stunts on Yuen and Rachael, the two girls kicked her to a mattress the next night. And all these luxury cost us only RM50 split by 4 (in love gift to our new found friend aunty mei chen) for 5 nights. What blessings. Our host aunty Mei Chen was great, came to pick us up in the airport and arranged our transport for the duration of our trip, ensuring we get the best price possible.

So what do you do in Bali? You have fun on the beach. And how do you have fun on the beach? You do water sports on the beach and what better place to do all these than in Nusa Dua beach.

First activity: Para gliding

All I can remember from my para gliding experience was that my privates hurt real bad after that. Not because I landed I landed on them but because my body weight was literally supported by it.

Look closely at the harness, look what it is cupping on... but before I go on.... so they gear me for the para glide in lighting speed and hooked my on to the chutes and before I could even say "terlalu ketat?" the man in the cap just shouted "LARI!!!" and I could hear the sound of a roaring speed boat firing up and by the next second I was......

now look at the chute and look at what's supporting my whole weight to the chute? you got it right, the harness and now look where the harness is hook to? you got that right... no wonder I felt like my voice was a higher pitch after I landed.

Second Activity: Scuba Diving

This has got to be the highlight of the holiday, to be able to be under the water for 1/2 hour 600m below sea level. The briefing before the the actual dive made scuba diving seem like a piece of cake. All we had to remember was how to breath through Darth Vader's oxygen tank and how to pop your ears when you feel the pressure. Seriously, all of us thought it was a walk in the park until we all went in the water.

Me as the only man on the trip had to be the first one to go into the water to set an example that scuba diving is nothing but a walk in the park. Truth be told now... once the guide brought me to the 1st 100 meters I already panic because I kept breathing from my nose instead of my mouth and the pressure on the ear was so great...I was so scared until I literally pee pee... poor Rachael, she was next to me when that happened. Anyway, once getting over the initial panic and fear... the feeling was surreal...

high 5!!

It was really a surreal feeling to be able to swim with the fishes and feeding them

Now I understand why people are so crazy about scuba diving. The waters in Bali was a bit murky so now i really want to get my PADI and go to Redang, Tioman and even The Great Barrier Reef to dive... can't imagine how the feeling will be like there

Do watch out... more Bali updates coming...!!! Yes this blog is alive again!!!

ever experiece?

2007-09-07T10:34:00.000+08:00

Have you ever experience this before? You thought you were good at something only to realize later on that you are actually bad at it? Well I am going through that right now and it's not a good experience.

i am craving for....

2007-08-28T23:49:00.000+08:00

I've just been having this big craving for Ribena lately. I don't know why, everywhere I walk, there's just that smell of Ribena that surrounds me. Every thought that runs through my head is interrupted with a picture of the Ribena squeeze squeeze packet. It's become an "in-between" drink for me now. At least it takes my addiction for Coke

like a tiger..

2007-08-28T07:24:00.001+08:00

By the way, I just submitted in for an audition to model for Tiger Beer. I figured that Tiger needed to reach out to its female consumers because there are a rather large segment of drinkers. I am sure those female consumers don't want to see one of those sexy bikini clad girls on the poster. So I sent in my profile picture in to Tiger for their consideration together with the attached letter.

To whom it may concern in Tiger

Hi, My name is Tan Eng Meng, but my friends call me Ah Meng but I guess you can call me Marko. Why am I am Marko and not just Mark you may ask? Because people look up to me that's why they add the "ko" to the Mark and that's why I am Marko.

Because people look up to me, I think your female consumers will also. This is the reason why I am writing to you. Because I feel you are loosing your female "audience". The ladies don't want to see Jessica Alba drinking a Tiger, they want to see a Tiger drinking a Tiger and I think I am your Tiger!!

If you think the above picture is not Tiger enough. I am sure this picure below is more Tiger than you can imagine.

I hope you will consider me modeling for Tiger in the future.

Yours sincerely,

Marko the Tiger

p.s. I still have shots of me in my Tiger underwear.

hhhmm.....

2007-08-14T22:49:00.000+08:00

Watching this video.......

Watching this video somehow just reminds me of .......

Maybe one day when Malaysia finally has "Malaysia's got Talent", Terry you could sing that song.

finding time....

2007-07-26T00:07:00.000+08:00

I've been so busy lately that I miss doing the simple everyday things such as replying emails to close friends, updating my blog with more interesting stuff instead of picture of me sleeping in toilets.

Right now, I'll follow the steps of Judah Cheah and leave you all with some true life stories of travellers. I promise, the next post will be a entry.

Until than, enjoy.... btw.. I find it hard to believe that some of these stories are true.

Why some people Should Never Be Allowed To Travel?

The following are actual stories provided by travel agents:

I had someone ask for an aisle seat so that her hair wouldn't get messed up by being near the window.

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A client called in inquiring about a package to Hawaii. After going over all the cost info, she asked, "Would it be cheaper to fly to California and then take the train to Hawaii?"

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I got a call from a woman who wanted to go to Capetown. I started to explain the length of the flight and the passport information when she interrupted me with "I'm not trying to make you look stupid, but Capetown is in Massachusetts. "Without trying to make her look like the stupid one,I calmly explained, "Capecod is in Massachusetts, Capetown is in Africa." Her response ... click.

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A man called, furious about a Florida package we did. I asked what was wrong with the vacation in Orlando. He said he was expecting an ocean-view room. I tried to explain that is not possible, since Orlando is in the middle of the state. He replied, "Don't lie to me. I looked on the map and Florida is a very thin state."

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I got a call from a man who asked, "Is it possible to see England from Canada?" I said, "No." He said "But they look so close on the map."

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Another man called and asked if he could rent a car in Dallas. When I pulled up the reservation, I noticed he had a 1-hour lay over in Dallas. When I asked him why he wanted to rent a car, he said, "I heard Dallas was a big airport, and I need a car to drive between the gates to save time."

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A nice lady just called. She needed to know how it was possible that her flight from Detroit left at 8:20am and got into Chicago at 8:33am. I tried to explain that Michigan was an hour ahead of llinois, but she could not understand the concept of time zones. Finally I told her the plane went very fast, and she bought that!!!

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A woman called and asked, "Do airlines put your physical description on your bag so they know who's luggage belongs to who?" I said, "No, why do you ask?" She replied, "Well, when I checked in with the airline, they put a tag on my luggage that said FAT, and I'm overweight, is there any connection?" After putting her on hold for a minute while I "looked into it" (I was actually laughing) I came back and explained the city code for Fresno is FAT, and that the airline was just putting a destination tag on her luggage.

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I just got off the phone with a man who asked, "How do I know which plane to get on?" I asked him what exactly he meant, which he replied, "I was told my flight number is 823, but none of these darn planes have numbers on them."

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A woman called and said, "I need to fly to Pepsi-cola on one of those computer planes." I asked if she meant to fly to Pensacola on a commuter plane. She said, "Yeah, whatever."

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A businessman called and had a question about the documents he needed in order to fly to China. After a lengthy discussion about passports, I reminded him he needed a visa. "Oh no I don't, I've been to China many times and never had to have one of those." I double checked and sure enough, his stay required a visa. When I told him this he said, "Look, I've been to China four times and every time they have accepted my American Express."

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A woman called to make reservations, "I want to go from Chicago to Hippopotamus, New York" The agent was at a loss for words. Finally, the agent: "Are you sure that's the name of the town?" "Yes, what flights do you have?" replied the customer. After some searching, the agent came back with, "I'm sorry, ma'am, I've looked up every airport code in the country and can't find a Hippopotamus anywhere." The customer retorted, "Oh don't be silly. Everyone knows where it is. Check your map!" The agent scoured a map of the state of New York and finally offered, "You don't mean Buffalo, do you?" "That's it! I knew it was a big animal!!!

toilet break

2007-07-17T21:16:00.000+08:00

For the last two days, I found myself going to the toilet very very often. And it's not because I've been drinking lots of water which I should. But it's more because I've been doing a lot of this in the toilet.

Toilets still are the best place to catch those much needed power naps. As a tip, if you find the disabled toilet vacant, best to use the disabled toilet as it's more spacious and comfortable and there's a railing to lean on.

smells like teen spirit

2007-07-14T16:45:00.000+08:00

What does one do on a boring Saturday in Singapore? He goes surfing around on YouTube... I surf through many videos and suddenly thought of my time in school when Nirvana was in the in thing. Songs Lithium, Come as You Are, Smells Like Teen Spirit could be heard out of the window of every teenagers room in the early 90's. Smells Like Teen Spirit has always been my favorite Nirvana song and so I set out to relive some old memories and went in search of the MTV for Smells like Teen Spirit. So presenting to you, Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana before Kurt Kobain Cobain died.

Off course this song is not only a favorite to me but to many other people and for sure you see many bands doing covers for this song. YouTube off course had videos of many others who covered the song. But his is my favorite acoustic version of the song.

And who says acoustic set up was boring. I this this has got to be one of the best unplugged group around. This song was so big that many has gone out and rearrange the song to suit them, but nothing beats this rearrangement.

Rock certainly does Swing!!

i'll give you anything and whatever

2007-07-11T22:52:00.000+08:00

If you claim to be my friend, I will give you

ANYTHING!!

And

WHATEVER!!

Yes, indeeed, I will give you ANYTHING

and WHATEVER

Both this drinks are a new craze that has hit Singapore for the last 2 months or so. Everyone here is raving about ANYTHING and about WHATEVER. So, now you ask me, What's so special about this drink?

Well as you can see from the packaging,

It looks the same right? But, you are wrong.. there is a difference between these two can, and the difference lies on the back.

What difference you ask, well one has to look closely at the ingredients

That's there the difference is. Very sorry for the blurred shot, my hands shake a lot when I take pictures therefore the camera is never steady. Anyway, as one can see that each can of drink is flavored differently and one can only tell when looking at the tiny small portion that says "ingredients", therefore, the whole idea of the drink is, when you purchase these drinks, you're purchasing ANYTHING because it can be WHATsoEVER flavour and you never know until you read the ingredients.

So the Singaporeans have really gotten into this drink and made a game out of it. I buy ANYTHING and guess WHATEVER flavor is it. Rules are simple, just purchase a can of ANYTHING

or WHATEVER

These drinks can be purchased from any sundry shops nearest to you. Step 1 : open the can

Step 2: Take a sip and guess the flavor

Step 3: check at the back to see if you got it correct.

If you got it wrong repeat step 1 to 3 until you get it correct. So fun right???

And speaking of WHATEVER!! This video is so cute courtesy of Rose

it's coming, it's drawing nearer

2007-07-03T16:47:00.000+08:00

The youth event of the year is just another 4 days away. Make sure you make yourself free for FIRE UP!

Fire Up!

2007-06-21T17:14:00.000+08:00

Fire Up! Conference

Dates: July 6-7, 2007

Venue: Glad Tidings, PJ

Featuring: Michael Rowan (USA)

a car review

2007-06-13T21:20:00.000+08:00

Remember about a month ago I wrote about this?

Well, I came back from work today to find it all assembled up.

These days, baby walkers are made so colorful and installed with nice little extras to it. Heck!! It even has sport rims to it. It may not be your OZ 17" rims, but it's still rims. I remember when I was a baby, baby walkers just look like this

These days, there's "zhng my baby walker" and they are now even installed with a steering wheel with horn attached to it. To top it of, there's these little triangle and square shapes things that makes all sorts of weird noises that I can't even tell what they are. It is really "zhng my baby walker" kow kow.

On why my landlord left the kuku-car at my place instead taking it back for her daughter to play and walk around with it, I really don't know. Obviously, me being so impressed with the kuku-car, I had to take it on a spin

And boy, was it literally a spin, just a spin A-Round. Obviously, the kuku-car didn't quite fit me so *sigh*, I couldn't take the kuku-mobil out to Clark Quay and ask the chicks there if they "want a ride?"

another fun filled weekend

2007-06-05T21:50:00.000+08:00

It was another tiring but fun filled weekend for me. Had Hock, Terry and Heng Joe for company for the weekend. Certainly was fun to just relax with the blokes with no agenda and program. It was the Copeland, Anberlin gig weekend which explains why the blokes and a few YC kids were down in Singapore for.

Copeland certainly rocked for me that Sunday night. When I hear their CDs in my room, I get bored after the 4th track but when they are live, they totally rocked. The emotions that exudes from the stage when they sing totally made their set all worth to watch. I guess when I listen to Copeland now, there will be new insights to them. Anberlin was good too, but I guess it's either I was too tired by the time they came up and didn't enjoy their set or I am just too old for energetic punk rock style music. I think I'd put it to tiredness.

My only regret for that night was that I forgot to bring my camera along, so that explains the extremely poor photo quality which was taken with my trusty camera phone.

I have to say it's not bad for a 1.3 mega pixel camera. I really wish I could write more about the weekend but there's really too much to write about that I don't know where to begin (it's actually an excuse for being lazy to write)

a tired but refreshing weekend

2007-05-28T18:14:00.000+08:00

Last month, when Ollie Sebastian from Paradise emailed me and asked if I could play for him for an Assemblies of God Singapore worship conference, I said yes thinking in my heart that it'll never happen. But it actually did happen and what an awesome conference it was over the weekend. It was totally great to play with the Paradise folks again, really brought back memories of my 2 years in Paradise Community Church. Come to think of it, it's been exactly a year since I left Adelaide and what a great way to mark my 1 year being away by having a chance to play with Ollie, Anna and the gang. It certainly was a piece of Adelaide that came to me.

The Conference is named Saturate Conference and it's in its third installment. This year's theme was "UNDONE, reduced, ruined, REVIVED"

This year's conference featured Jared Ming as the main speaker and Paradise as the guest band. When I first heard the name Jared Ming I thought he was some unheard of chinese guy coming to speak. Turns out he's American and is quite a big name fella. He's the one that mentored people like Lincoln Brewster to the great song leader he is today. Jared Ming himself is an accomplished song leader in his own rights having recorded for a few albums with Vineyard Music. I was asked to be part of the support band to play for Jared as it is his style to start with some songs before he starts to preach. Playing for Jared was an experience of all kind in itself, his style of worship is totally of a different sort from all that I've experience. The minute he touches the keyboard, you can feel a sense of anointing falling into the auditorium. It was great playing old time gospel songs again.

Jared brought along his 12 year old daughter, Macie Ming and you sure can see that worship is flows in his family. He got his daughter to come and help him lead in some songs and she too carried that same anoiting the father had. This is really what i call leading with anoiting. When Macy sang "When I Think About His Love", tears just flowed down my eyes, as she sang you could just feel the love of God surround you. I was so touch that when the band had to come in I totally missed the queue because I've been so engulf in the love of God.

I went to this conference thinking I was just "part of the paradise band" and expecting nothing, but boy was I wrong. This is one conference I so glad that I went to and the opportunity God opened for me to be part of it.Initially, i have to admit that I was a bit reluctant to be part of the "Jared Ming band" because it called for extra practice and time was already so packed and I was also displeased that they didn't like asked me if i could play the organisers just said "Mark come for practice for Jared Ming...", I was honestly not happy with that sort of treatment and even Ollie asked me to stand my ground to them and not let them take advantage but something in me pushed me to do it anyway and now I am glad that I just kept quiet and went ahead because I was so bless. Playing with the Paradise band was great but playing for Jared Ming was WOW!!!! I can see now Lincoln Brewster became the song leader he is today because of such a great mentor. Jared is super encouraging even after the amount of mistakes I made for his set. He even asked if I could follow him for his Sunday engagement in another church but it was just too bad that I had already committed to following Ollie to another church service.

I have to admit that Singapore has a lot of talented musicians that I was wondering why did they ask a "cha pe lang" bassist like me to play for Jared when there was so many other better ones around. Almost everyone in the conference were accomplish musicians in their own rights, even the girls and boys who took care of the stalls selling CDs and food were accomplished musicians. It's really such sense of servant hood from everyone in the conference.

It was a tiring 3 days, everyday the day began at 7:30am and ended at 1:30am, but it was really spiritually refreshing. So happy that I had the change to attend and be part of such a great conference for free.

what's wrong with americans?

2007-05-18T16:17:00.000+08:00

What's wrong with the Americans?? Can't they see a good talented singer? I can't believe Melinda Doolittle is out of the finale.

a long awaited wedding of the year

2007-05-16T17:43:00.000+08:00

I know this is so long overdue, but I still want to congratulate one of my best friend from school and college for beating all of us in the gang to do this.

I remember when we were younger in school, all of us in the gang would always say that Troy would be one of the last to get married because of his fat-like-lump-of-blob look and also his fear of women.

But looks like we're (actually just me) eating our words now. The Blob from yesteryears has turned into a handsome prince and became the first in our gang to get married. Even beating Aaron Ram Sarma (the most eligible, richest and handsome), whom we all thought would definitely be the first to tie the knot.

We're certainly proud of you Troy for what you've turned out to be. I think you definitely deserve to tie the knot first because you definitely were the most matured amongst us to understand the true importance and significance of marriage.

And what's a wedding without any mishaps especially when all of us "who brings along destruction to any where we go" are heavily involve in the wedding. I'll always remember this incident below as that was one of the highlights of the wedding for me. We just had to accidentally "vandalize" Troy's mother-in-laws car. We sure hope that incident hasn't turned you into an out-law in Janice's family. I wonder is that why Troy had to move to some secluded town in Malacca?

As I mentioned, I should learn not to curse people because curses do come back to you. Me always declaring back than that Troy "The Blob" Khoo would for sure be the last one to get married; now looks like I am going to be the last one to get married (looking at how things are currently). Well for now, I am very happy and satisfied just to be involve in any of my good buddies' wedding, be it being a video man

Emceeing for the wedding.

Or even just being a normal wedding guest shouting "YYYUUUMMMM SEEENNNGGG" when it's my tables turn to do so.

Again, Troy my dearest best friend. I am so happy for you, your wedding day was one of the happiest day of my life, not because it was a day the whole gang united and did crazy stuff together but seeing my best friend at his happiest made me very happy too.

p.s. Troy, I still owe you your wedding ang-pow

p.p.s. Can I now show my true colors to Janice? Now that she's Mrs. Khoo Teck Yih?

what-car?!!

2007-05-10T17:46:00.000+08:00

As many of you would know that I stay in a store house. The owner used to store books and books in the unit because he was a book distributor. Right now, he just uses the house to store all his junk.

Anyway, as I was entering my room today, this caught my attention.

I was like; did I see it, read it correctly, did I just read "KUKU-Car"?? So I took a closer look.

Nope, my eyes didn't play tricks on me. I did read "KUKU-Car".

I really wonder who will name a baby walker a "kuku-car". The names people come out with for stuff now a days are really really weird. And did you notice what was the brand of the "KUKU-Car"? It's "MAMA Love", so here we have a "MAMA-Love KUKU-Car" with the tag line "teaching our young ones to walk". I can so imagine a dad saying this to his kid:

Dad: come baby!! come play with your "KUKU", walk it round and round the house...

Baby: ang goo goo!!!

Dad: come let me help you into your "KUKU"....

Next when the kid can talk gibberish...

Baby: Duhdy, duhdy... can i peh-lay with my "kheoo kheoo" peh-leese?

Dad: Yes son, go play with your "KUKU"

Dengs!!! kids of the next generation will never turn out the same again........ thanks to the "MAMA-LoveKuku-Car"

happiness at last

2007-04-30T15:34:00.000+08:00

The last two post seems to be focused on looks. So we shall continue on with that topic. Having good looks is good, but to bring out the good looks, one has got to be complemented well with a very good looking partner too.

For many months now, I have been out searching for the one that will complement me not just in the looks department but also complement me as a person. And finally the search ended last month.

Happiness now fills my heart for I have finally found her.....

Look how sensitive she is? 5 knobs to bring out the best sound in her

Straight through body stringing to make her have that extra growl

You go no wrong when you have the right accessory for a girl. In this case, you go no wrong with Bartolini. It's like buying a real female a Prada handbag.

Though the name is not popular, but boutique basses, makes them even more sexier.

Now isn't she beautiful? So beautiful that she brings out more good looks in me.

*pictures courtesy of Joel San Juan.

for the chelsea fans - an excerpt from the diaries of jose mourinho

2007-04-26T17:10:00.000+08:00

I received this from my colleague this afternoon, cracked me up big time when I read it. But only the football enthusiast would understand, especially the Chelski fans.

Disclaimer: This is rated PG. If you are under the age of 18, please leave the site now but knowing you curious kids will still read on, please ensure you read it with your parents next to you. I will not be held responsible for any minds corrupted.

22/04/07

(18:45hrs): We have just drawn against Newcastle United. I am upset. The interviewer is about to come in, and I need to distract him away from our faliure... After all, if I give the general public a glimpse of imperfection, society would crumble, women would kill themselves at my feet, for their hero, their "special one" has failed. I must appear perfect, for the good of the world.

(1905hrs) I made some bullshit about penalties. I believe I came across as witty and sexy, but soft and vunerable, Like Cech's skull.

23/04/07

(1345hrs): Rafa keeps calling me a twat on the phone and hanging up. This is no way to treat the "special one". I must hold a press conference To show how unaffected I am by Liverpool. Must go, the phone is ringing.

(1346hrs) It was Rafa.

23/04/07

(2015hrs): Press conference tomorrow. Must remember to practice my pouting. How can they hate someone that looks so good? It is impossible. Look at David Ginola. And he's a dickhead.

24/04/07

(12:30hrs): Drogba is round for lunch and the bastard broke my coffee table. My wife bumped into him with the cake tray and dropped like a sack of shit onto the coffee table. It was my favourite too. High polish so I can see myself drinking coffee in a smouldering fashion. I will have to buy another mirror to compensate. Sexy has gone down 10 points in this house.

(2000hrs): Just had a conference and I can honeslty say, everyone loved me. There was a reporter in the front row that actually broke down in a fit of tears from just hearing the words that my mouth speaks. I could have sex with her, but Jose makes the woman work for his love. Plus, she was fat. I made some crap about Liverpool going to target Drogba, so he now can go down like a stone at will. I am very impressed with him. Today he crumpled to the floor when a moth landed on his shoulder.

look a like??

2007-04-24T23:02:00.000+08:00

This is Adrian Pang. A very famous celebrity actor in Singapore. Most of us Malaysian will only know who Gurmit Singh is because of Phua Chu Kang, but believe me Adrian Pang is way up there with him. He is famed for shows like Maggie and me, Parental Guidance; blockbuster drams like Portrait of Home and he has been nominated many times for film awards of all sorts. I am not writing this post to exclaim that he is my favorite Singaporean actor or what, but rather someone once mentioned that I look like a younger version him.

Women here say Adrian is a good looking bloke, so does this mean I am as good looking as him? Does this mean 13 years down the line, I still look suave?Well I leave it to the 20 odd readers who visit my blog daily to decide. Am I as good looking or even better looking than Adrian Pang? Maybe I even have qualities to be a famous actor too here in Singapore and act along side Fiona Xie??? Now wouldn't that be a dream come true..... and that's just the key word, a DREAM. Well, at least for now I can take heart for myself that I do have a bit of actor looks and hopefully in 13 years time still look as suave.

Talking about good looking. I know there are some days when one will wake up feeling ugly and don't want to get out of bed. I have the perfect solution to that. Everytime I wake up feeling ugly. I turn the computer on and google up my own name and look at the image tab of the results. I guarantee you once you look at the results of people with the same name as you, you will thank God for the way you look. In my case, when I googled up my name, this is what i found.

visitor's pass

2007-04-15T00:23:00.000+08:00

I was told that this old video was floating around YouTube and I finally found it, all thanks to Stephen Cheong for pointing me in the right direction. Had a good laugh watching it again. I think this was Isaac Yap's breakthrough video to filming bigger films.

when you honour God

2007-04-05T11:11:00.000+08:00

It's only pass the mid-week mark and already what a week it has been. Mom was admitted to hospital and I had to entertain my client's Chief Technology Officer (CTO) from US, basically the last person I wanted to see on earth. But in both occasion, God came through. Goes to show, when you honor Him, he will Honor you back.

My mom has been having serious shoulder and back problems and haven't quite been able to get it properly diagnose, so last Sunday it got worse and the doctor said she has to be admitted in for a series of test. All those who are fans of House M.D, yup my mom went through those exact samething, biopsy, investigative blood test, MRI, ct scans, x-Rays and the whole works. Off course we were anxious of what the test results would show but we were also concern about the medical bill. Dad's retired for the last 3 years, mom's been a housewife for years and insurance don't want to pay for some reason. Anyway, after lots of prayer, the insurance said they'll cover up to RM1000 and only if they doctor can find something wrong with my mom. So we took the deal even though it wasn't the best of all deals. So do we pray that something is wrong with mom so we don't have to fork out so much money or pray that nothing is wrong and worry about the money and what killed me most was that I was in Singapore when all these happened. Anyhow, after all the "House MD" test, results came out clean and whatever mom was going through was just "signs of old age". Now comes the money part, I was prepared to say goodbye to a new car, my dad was willing to sell off something but when God honors you, He really honors you. The insurance company had a change of heart out of no where and decided to pay for the whole medical expenses, and I mean the whole medical expenses. The medical bill was way way more than the initial RM1k they wanted to cover and they covered it all. Just imagine, the MRI is already RM1K.

Like I said, I couldn't be around for my mom because I was expecting a visit by the CTO of the client I am supporting. This guy is the one who determines whether our company is making good use of the investment they have pumped in for us to support them well. I really don't know why he wants to particularly meet with me, probably because I am a young good looking Chinese boy? And old "ang mors" like young good looking chinese boys? Anyway, mother in hospital and a meeting with the CTO looming, I can't explain how mega stress I was. Anyway, the outcome of the meeting was; I got fired. ..... nah.. at least I was thinking that was going to be the outcome. I was beginning to regret all my "hantu" sessions from work. But when you honor God, God honors you. CTO said a lot of good things about me and basically he was very happy at the delivery of work I was giving to them as a client and even sighted methods I use for work as examples. I couldn't thank God enough!!!! And what is best is that, the CTO told my director all these over tiger beer and you know the wonders of alcohol, they help you exaggerate more and it was good timing too because my annual appraisal was due too. So now, I not only thank God for good comments from the CTO but also thank God for one bloody good appraisal too.

So what have I learned in this mid-week? I am reminded again, when you honor God, He will honor you back beyond what you can imagine. As Rose mentioned in her blog, God gives me the shivers. He turned one of my most stressful moments into moments of joy that I have not felt in a long time.

Now, I have to ask for forgiveness, because in my meeting with the CTO, in my mind I was thinking "shut up with the good comments.. I WANT REWARD MONEY!!", God forgive me.....Hey, I am still human!!

Rated PG?? But why??

2007-04-02T01:03:00.000+08:00

Wow!! It's been almost a month now since my last post. Really, it's not because I was lazy or couldn't get my fingers to type "www.bloger.com" or had no time but merely I just didn't have anything interesting to write. I don't think anyone wants to read things like what time I woke up and how many pieces of poop I pooped into the toilet bowl or that I went to the plastic surgeon and had botox pumped into my batox for stretchier smoother skin. Readers of blogs these days demands interesting articles, events to read and not about someone loosing his/her golden retriever in the Sahara dessert or that banana split makes a wonderful desert.

With all that ranting above, I still don't have anything interesting to blog about either than I finally did what I've been wanting to do in Singapore for a long long time.

Well, I won't tell you about my visit to the zoo just yet because I can't think of anything interesting thing to write about in the zoo either than I caught some mating actions

That too seems like something all so common in the animal kingdom. So, I'll talk about the zoo when I can figure out why tigers like to show PDA (Public Display of Affections)

I didn't mean to rant so much when I started, so anyhow back to what I wanted to blog about. I was out shopping yesterday in Singapore. One of my rare weekends in Singapore so I thought I'd make the most out of my day. I went into Trumpet Praise (Singapore's Salvation, Canaan Land, Glad Sound.. you get the idea) to check out their new arrivals of CDs. As I was looking through the CDs. I bumped into this

Yes, I know it is a Paradise Live CD, but look closer at the bottom left corner. There's a sticker there that says "PG" which stands for Parental Guidance and it's endorsed by the Singapore Censorship Board. I check the other CDs around, non of them had this sticker except for the Paradise Live album.

Now, I wondered why on earth would a Paradise Live album be rated PG? Did the censorship board find offense with Ollie Sebastian's voice? Or did they find out that there's a Malaysian Singer from OUG singing in an Australian album which could be no no in Singapore law that all people appearing in an album must be a nationalist to the origin country? Or did they accidently misread "Guy Sebastian" as "Gay Sebastian"?

Why on earth would the censorship board want to rate an innocent Christian album as "Parental Guidance Required"?? Why?? Why?? Why??? I wonder if I buy the CD, will there be tracks with words missing because of the censorship?

Gee.. I did it again... something short and sweet I wanted to blog about came out to so many words. Guess I can be quite long winded too.

Tremors in Singapore

2007-03-07T02:27:00.000+08:00

There were reports of tremors in Singapore yesterday. I did feel the building moving and saw my pencil holder moving about but I just discounted it as me having a dizzy spell because I was suffering from a lack of sleep at that time. Further more, I looked around, everyone was still glued to their monitors hammering on the keyboard away, as if it was just any other normal working day. The building opposite mine already had people evacuating and we all thought they were having a fire drill.

Anyhow, after reports about an earthquake in Sumatra, Indonesia was out, only than did everyone in the office started to say they thought they felt something. So, since we missed having a real life evacuation. My colleagues and I decided to "evacuate" ourselves at 4pm for a long tea break sighting that we felt a third wave of "tremors" and wanted to save ourselves. A new excuse I can add to my list of "Mark Tan's Excuses for Taking Long Tea Breaks".

my cny so far

2007-02-23T21:53:00.000+08:00

Chinese New Year is always a time I look forward to. I look at this picture and I am reminded of the miracle of God. There used to be only one Christian in this picture and now after a span of almost 18 years, everyone in this picture is a Christian and actively serving God. I think my family is the only renegade in FGA while the rest are faithful DUMC members. This is my first Chinese New Year where i literally have to balik kampung because I'm working outstation for the first time, it did help that I came back 1 week before CNY and so I missed those big jams on the road. Maybe I'll join those jams next year to make the "balik kampung" experience complete.

This CNY, I made a discovery. I discovered that I am not the only gambler in the family. I found out that my dad and my aunt were "god of gamblers" in their hay-days. My dad finally admitted why his middle and ring finger on his right hand is a bit "bengkok" because he plays mahjong so much last time that those two fingers would help him feel what mahjong chips he has got. *i wonder if he is taking me on a right* and my aunt on the other is an addicted mahjong player last time that my mom had to literally keep her money for her so that she won't waste it off gambling. And than I asked my dad and aunt to teach me how to play mahjong and my mom suddenly gets up from her seat and takes a ladder to climb up to a very high cupboard and I was wondering what she was getting and lo and behold a 25 year old mahjong set kept in one cupboard at the corner of the house which I never realised after living in this house for God knows how long.

I also learn something in this CNY. Forgetful grandaunts gets more forgetful every year but they get smarter every year. I have two living grandaunt, ripe old age of 91 years. Everytime I visit them, it's like listening to a tape recorder. They tell and repeat the same thing every 5 minutes... "getting married already?", "where are you working", "have i given you an ang pow". So every year, I take advantage of the "have I given you an ang pow already".. everytime they ask me that question, I always answer "No.." and as a result I walk away with 4 ang pows in one visit. This year, both grandaunts got smarter. They record down ang pows going out. So, when they asked that key question "have I given you an ang pow" and when I answered no.. they didn't just give me an ang pow, they answered "let me check my records, forgetful already need to write things down.. always loosing money"... crap this time round i got busted.... need to re-think my strategy for next year's CNY.

Another first for me in this CNY is that we finished all our visitation in 2 days. Previously, we'll always procrastinate and end up still visiting relatives on chap goh meh.

And that's my CNY for this year. I discovered new interesting facts about my family and learned that forgetful grandaunts get smarter.

disappointed.....

2007-02-09T13:36:00.000+08:00

What am I disappointed about? I am disappointed at myself. I always thought that money is not a motivating factor for me but just a source of necessity, meaning make enough to have a comfortable living. Today, I realize that I am motivated by money. After months of bugging my director in Singapore for a possible transfer back to KL, it finally coming true and I was ecstatic when my director called my this afternoon to tell me that they confirmed my replacement. I was all the way ecstatic until they told me my salary package in KL. I was expecting a big pay cut from my earnings in Singapore (after conversion) but I didn't expect this big a cut. After hearing what my new pay sounds like, my ecstaticsm turned to "why the heck am I coming back for!!??" depression thoughts. I played on the money can't beat having "friends and family around" card, it lifted me up a bit, than I played the "I get to be fully committed to YC" card and it lifted me even more. So, after hearing the salary package part, I asked so what's my new role going to be like in KL? After hearing the role, I went back straight into depression. In short, it's a role that no one wants to take up and with the salary that comes with it........ I shan't say more.

My director said this to me, "Mark this role you will learn, money cannot be a motivational factor to learn from this role and I know you will not let money motivate you". Well, I really used to think that money doesn't motivate me. But I guess........ I was wrong............. and I am disappointed with myself that I do allow money to motivate me. I thought after 1 year of Bible College, I was over the "money a motivating factor", but I guess I still haven't learnt....... *BIG SIGH*

i feel like a looser

2007-02-07T01:12:00.000+08:00

Couple of months ago, I had a colleague from India call me out of no where asking me stuff about Manchester United. Now, you have to understand that Sumeet (not his real name) being an Indian from India has no interest at all in football. As we all know, India is known for cricket and hockey and I know Sumeet doesn't like football at all. So I thought, why on earth does he want to know all about Manchester United, asking who's the best player, who's usually on the 1st eleven, who's the goal keeper, what's Alex Ferguson's favorite formation, etc etc. I really thought Sumeet was really trying to get interested in football, so I being a hardcore Man Utd fan wanting to share my enthusiasm with him told him everything I knew about the club in detail.

Today, I got an email from him. His email address to me was from this address; sumeetprash@manutd.com.uk. I thought "wow!! Sumeet is really into Man Utd now". The content of his email went like this:

Dear Mark,

How are you? I just wanted you to know that I've resigned from CSC and am now in Machester working as an AS400 administrator for Manchester United Holdings Ltd. The working environment here is better than CSC. I get free tickets to all Manchester games in Old Trafford. Attire to work is strictly Manchester United clothings, so I've gotten free Manchester United jersey, t-shirts, tie and slacks. I've also got free dinner sessions with the Alex Ferguson and the players once every 6 months. It's really wonderful here.

I really want to thank you for helping me get this job. Remember 3 months ago I called you and asked you about Manchester United? Part of the interview required me to know a lot about the club and you really helped me out there. In fact they asked me more about the club that AS400 technical questions. I truly thank you for helping me out.

I wish you well, I hope we can keep in contact. Thanks to you, I am now very interested in soccer. I'll get you inside scope in future

Regards

My reaction after reading that email *bang head on table multiple times*, *slams keyboard on head*

I thought for a moment that Sumeet could be pulling my leg and talking bull to me. So I went to Syam (not his real name also), another colleague of mine based in Singapore to tell him of this stupid story, and so our conversation went like this:

Me: Hey Syam, you know what this stupid @#%$# Sumeet did to me, he went and registered a Man Utd email account and emailed telling me he's working in Manchester United Holdings

Syam: Yeah, yeah...... off course I know... I was actually recommended the job first... but I couldn't take it so I recommended Sumeet

Me: *not wanting to be con a second time*.... yeah, yeah, yeah... you think I stupid is it?? Trying to con me ah??

Syam: Serious Mark, I have a friend in UK, he provides solution to the Manchester Company and he was asked if he knew anybody that could do AS400 administration... and he called me to ask if I was interested. So I submitted and actually got it but in the end I couldn't take it so I passed it on to Sumeet lar.

Me: Yeah!!! YEAH!!!! who you trying to bluff lar.......

Syam: Serious lar Mark!!! come I show you the email I sent to my friend in UK to forward to MU holdings.

*he really showed me the email*, I was speechless for 1 minute and finally asked:

Me: OOOOOIIIIII!!!!!!!! Why didn't you recommend me!!!!! You know I'm MU Fan lar!!! and I would jump at working UK!!!!!!!

Syam: But you not AS400 expert what!!

Me: I CAN ALWAYS READ UP AGAIN LAR!!!!! Anyway, why did you not take it lar???

Syam: Ai yah!! you know what.....!! I was getting married than what..... anyway wife wasn't keen to relocate lar.....

Me: WAH!!! you gave up the chance to work in the world's biggest football club??

Syam: Ai yah Mark!!! You will only faham lar when you're in my position than...... not all like you can drop everything and leave lar......

It did get me thinking quite a bit, what if I was presented with that opportunity. What would I have actually done? I came out with 3 possible option and not sure which I would have taken

a: Call off the wedding and move to Manchester. I mean, wife can always find again but a job opportunity in Manchester United Holding? I can't imagine living my whole life wondering and end up blaming my wife.

b: Go on with the wedding and force the wife relocate. I am sure after much much much persuasion, she would give in. I mean which normal couple would give up their marriage in 1 month.

c: Give up chance of a lifetime for love? and pray that such opportunity comes by again.

I can't know which option I would take 'cos I don't have a fiancee to know what's it like to be in love and choosing to work in my favorite football club. For now, I am still wondering if Syam and Sumeet is taking me on a ride.

What would you have done if put in such a situation?

can't decide

2007-01-26T08:53:00.000+08:00

I've been in the hunt for a new phone for the last 3 months now. After numerous inquiries, window shopping, "test driving" of multiple phones, I've shortlisted to 3 phones to choose from now and have remained indecisive for the last 3 weeks. What a girl I can be at times.

The phones I'm deciding on are:

Nokia 6288

Nokia N70 Music Edition

& Samsung SHG-D900

I am actually not too fussed, I just want a small upgrade from the current phone that I have to music playing phone with a reasonable camera to it. I'm not wanting to spend too much on this upgrade because I am waiting for the ultimate phone to be launch

The Apple i-Phone

Described as the phone of the next generation

Wow!!

2007-01-16T01:31:00.000+08:00

Just about last Friday, I decided to have my dinner at Burger King before joining up with some of my colleagues for some drinks over at Clark Quay. I ordered my favourite burger, BBQ beef and turkey bacon. Just as I was about to dig into my burger, this young man infront of the table I sat on caught my eyes. Clad in a simple white shirt with blue straps and black pants, he was placing A4 size paper on each seat of the 10 seater table he had booked. I was wondering what papers he was putting on the table. 5 minutes a later, a group of students about the age of 15 turned up and sat placed their bags on the seats. I than realised that this young 27 to 28 year old man (well, he looked my age) was a school teacher. He handed out S$10 to each student so they could order a burger meal for themselves. After every student settled in with their dinner, he spent the next hour or so coaching the students on various subjects.

That impressed me, but it didn't impress as much as what I saw from than on. After the Burger King staff cleared the table, the young teacher began the same process again of placing the A4 size notes on each seat and 5 minutes later another group of 10 students appeared and the young teacher handed out S$10 to each student for their dinner and began teaching them for the next hour. I was thinking, this guy must be a tuition teacher and the fees he charged is already included in the dinner he gave to the 20 students that came. After observing his actions for the last 2 hours, I couldn't help myself but walked over to him and asked "sorry to bother you but you've got a good tuition concept going on. I just wanted to know how much you charge for your tuition fee?". Now his answer really made me dumb founded, "I don't charge for this extra classes, these students are from not so well to do families and they have to do a lot of odd jobs and miss out on their studies. So I give them dinner after school and coach them in subjects they are weak in." And me being the Chinaman me asked "but that's S$200 for the night for you on your teachers pay???" and he answered with total nobleness in his voice,"what I am investing is just something small to what these students are going to be in the future".

I was like "WOW!!", I always knew teaching was a noble profession but this is one of the most noble guy I've had the chance to bumb into. It made me promise myself never to compromise my involment in ministry work again, never to place self above God, never to place self above others in need. I know I can't help every soul in the world, but at least those that God place in my care, I would at least try and follow the example set by this noble man.

I am still dumb founded by this teacher's action and he is not some old teacher, he is around my age who longs for the same things I long for but yet sacrifice to invest in lives. That's really what I call outward looking and not inward looking.

I now seat on my desk, at home, 3 days after that Friday night and still go "WOW!!". I pray I allow God to mold me to be as noble hearted and self sacrifising as that young teacher.

embracing the right change

2007-01-12T02:17:00.000+08:00

12 days into the new year and I am already longing for a holiday. Usually one starts the new year fresh and awake to take on the challenges of the new year. But I feel somewhat like I am still stuck in stressful periods of November and December, it's as if the year is still at 2006. No wonder I am feeling like a holiday right now. Thank God holidays these days are affordable compared to when I first started work 5 years ago. Truly, someone should give Datuk Tony Fernandez more than a medal for coming out with Air Asia and what a man for giving 1 million free tickets away. The minute the news came out about the free tickets, I was already on the net and booked my free ticket to my holiday destination. That's 2 holidays for this year already and I am still trying to slot in a 3rd holiday for this year.

How things have changed over the last 5 years. Going on a holiday 5 years ago means I had to sell one of my bass to fund my holiday. Right now, I can afford it on my monthly salary. 5 years ago, surfing on the internet in Starbucks was considered a novelty, right now every household has wireless internet connection. It got me thinking, how do you balance change of mindsets to changes around. Think about it, for change to happen, mindsets has to change. But changes around us happens so fast these days that our mindsets are playing catch up to embrace these changes. And that brings another question, where do you balance the dynamic mindsets with the less dynamic mindsets. Lately, my mindset is going through a change but my heart is not wiling to embrace those change. For example, my mindset on dating has changed last year compared to the year before (I shan't go into details on it) but there are parts of me that is not willing to accept these change in mindset. It could be because I feel that I may be compromising something? So how do you adapt oneself at the end of the day?

Embracing change is good, but we have to be careful of what change we embrace. I am always reminded of what aunty Chiew Har taught us in YC last year that we do not compromise the Godly principles and values that we have embrace from the beginning of time. We are all born with a defected mindset and God is striving to change those defects. That is the biggest part of our journey, knowing the right Godly "change" to embrace and turning away from the wrong one. Problem is how do we know which is right and wrong? I guess that's where we have to know whether our heart is right with God. Because God speaks to the heart and if our heart is not right with God, we'll never know the right change to embrace.

This is something that I strive for always, keeping a my heart close to God so that I know what are the Godly changes i should embrace.

The Year is 2007

2007-01-08T01:57:00.000+08:00

Wow!! It's already the 8th of January 2007, the year 2006 is already a yesteryear and already a new journey begins. As everyone will ask themselves, what will 2007 hold for them? Will it be a year of challenges or more challenges? Will it be a year of blessings (be it financial, spiritual, gifts, etc)? Will it be year where a year of finding a one true love? and the questions goes on and on and on... I was very tempted to ask myself these questions again but after taking a short reflection through the year 2006, I've chosen not to ask these questions anymore because in asking these questions I am tempted to find my own answers for these questions.

I remember asking all these questions right about now in 2006 and succumb to temptation of becoming God and answering my own questions. But I could see that God had higher plans for me. I remember starting 2006 dreading to go back to Adelaide and by mid-year I fell so in love with Adelaide that I dreaded to leave Adelaide for Singapore and now I find myself almost half Singaporean that sometimes I actually look forward to going back to Singapore.

What an amazing journey God took me through in 2006, it's beyond words and I would want to try to answer stupid questions like "what will 2007 hold for me?". So that's why I've chosen not to ask this questions and just live right and follow the values and principles that I've already rooted in my heart and take 2007 on. It's not to say I am going to live 2007 as a meaningless year but rather I've chosen to fully let God's will totally be done. I admit that I have some trusting issues with God on certain things now and I guess that's the only New Year resolution I have for this year. Step up on my faith level so I'll have full faith and trust in God.

This year, I've too chosen not plan my life anymore. I did plan my life before and it's quite obvious that it wasn't God's plan so it's kind of derailed. I want to take this year to know what God has plan for me. I want to know the true meaning of walking in obscurity and having God hold my hand. I want to take this year to know exactly where God wants to lead me in this obscure life of mine. I believe that God increases the faith of every individual differently and I believe that this is the way that God wants to lead me in. I've always known what I want in life, but I've never known exactly what God wants for me. So that's why I've resigned myself this year to want to know what God wants in my life and what destiny He wants me to fulfill. So far, the test have started, new challenges that have come my way, already my own analytical mind is already at work on "How Mark Tan will solve this....". It's really hard to transform from "How Mark Tan would solve this" to "How God would use me to solve this....".

So what does 2007 hold for me? I really don't know because I've chosen not to answer it. I've chosen to let God show me the answer. All I can say is that I am excited about 2007 because of what God is going to show and what God is going to achieve in my life.

HAPPY BLESSED 2007!!

so long my dearest...

2006-11-28T20:34:00.000+08:00

My darling,

We've been together for the last 4 years and every moment spent with you will always be cherished close in my heart. I still remember the day we first met in Singapore in Jurong, it was 4th April 2002. The minute I laid eyes on you, I fell in love with you.

I guess one of the ways to show love is realizing there's someone else who will make you happier than I did. Thank you very much for always being there, you have helped my achieve a lot and yes we've been to many places together. We've done quite a lot of crazy and amazing stuff together. Thank you for sharing the good and the bad times with me.

Now it's time we say goodbye, a time we need to release each other and embrace new love. Take care my dearest and I hope you will find new and better happiness.

love,

Mark

it's raining... it's raining

2006-11-28T13:27:00.000+08:00

It's been raining non-stop in Singapore. Too many times this last few days I've been caught under the rain and thanks to it I am now sick. Was wondering why it's been raining so much? Thought maybe it's the monsoon season but than I found out the actual reason.... Rain is coming Singapore.....

He's the hot ah beng for this season. I wonder why is he so hot and yet it still Rains. So what the heck, I thought I'll go check him out. So I bought myself a ticket to his concert in Singapore and see how good he is.

casino royale

2006-11-22T22:24:00.000+08:00

The latest edition of James Bond is out and there has been rave reviews about. The producers have based this James Bond movie on Ian Flemings' 1953 novel called Casino Royale. I won't go into the movie as I've not seen it yet. But I want to touch on their choice of actor for this latest James Bond movie. This time round, the producers said they wanted a different James Bond and hence they chose Daniel Craig as the new 007 agent.

He is reputed as the first James Bond to be blonde and some people are calling him James Blond. Couldn't they follow Ian Fleming's novel and kept his hair dark and let poor Ian rest in peace in his grave? He is also the shortest James Bond ever at 5'11". All the previous 007 were suave, sexy and good looking. But don't you think this guy just looks like an uncle...???? James Bond is this suave, smooth talking agent that knows how to make a disinterested woman interested in him, but with this uncle face, it makes James Bond look like a "chee ko pek" more than a sexy secret agent.

It looks like James Bond is loosing it's identity. With Daniel Craig as the new James Bond, it sure does open door for other actors or budding actors to be the new 007. If Uncle Daniel Craig can be James Bond, heck man this will even open up a chance for their first ever Chinese James Bond. By than Chinese actors like Chow Yun Fatt would be too old to play the role and so they would have to turn to new budding talents to play the new 007. Now with that happening, even Hock Seng can play James Bond..... or what the heck man.... Even I can be the first ever Chinese James Bond.

"Hi, my name is Bong......James Bong.....!!"

"I am agent... jero-jero-sefen"

11 grow-up rules

2006-11-22T15:30:00.000+08:00

My Mom forwarded this to me. It was from a speech that Bill Gates gave to a bunch high school kids saying that modern day education school system does not and will not teach them this 11 things. He is saying that modern education system does not educate students on the realities of life and has set up this generation of students for failures. Even though Bill was referring to the American Education system, Malaysian Education system is also on the same path... worse maybe..

I wish I read this when I was in high school and college so I didn't had to realise all this the hard way. So for all you readers who are still in high school, college, uni and just starting work.... READ, LEARN AND STOP COMPLAINING!!! *guess it applies to me too*

Rule 1: Life is not fair - get used to it.

Rule 2: The world won't care about your self-esteem. The world will expect you to accomplish something BEFORE you feel good about yourself.

Rule 3. You will not make $60,000 a year right out of high school. You won't be a vice-president with a car phone until you earn both.

Rule 4: If you think your teacher is tough, wait till you get a boss.

Rule 5: Flipping burgers is not beneath your dignity. Your grandparents had a different word for burger flipping - they called it opportunity.

Rule 6: If you mess up, it's not your parent's fault, so don't whine about your mistakes, learn from them.

Rule 7: Before you were born, your parents weren't as boring as they now are. They got that way from paying your bills, cleaning your clothes and listening to you talk about how cool you thought you were. So before you save the rain forest from the parasites your parent's generation created, try delousing the closet in your own room.

Rule 8: Your school may have done away with winners and losers, but life HAS NOT. In some schools they have abolished failing grades and they'll give you as MANY TIMES as you want to get the right answer. This does not bear the slightest resemblance to ANYTHING in real life.

Rule 9: Life is not divided into semesters. You don't get summers off and very few employers are interested in helping you FIND YOURSELF. Do that on your own time.

Rule 10: Television is NOT real life. In real life people actually have to leave the coffee shop and go to jobs.

Rule 11: Be nice to nerds. Chances are you'll end up working for one.

post holiday syndrome

2006-11-20T10:21:00.000+08:00

I had a fantastic time is Adelaide, a much needed holiday. I am glad that I was able to spend time with some close friends and had a blast doing stupid things with them especially the good old orange boys. Also glad that I was able to celebrate aunty Chiew Har's birthday with her in person. I am glad she liked the handbag we bought for her. It was great catching up aunty Chiew Har in Adelaide, this is one lady who has inspired me so much with her strength and wisdom and together with her passionate trash talking full of fire husband brought me to that "next-level" in my spiritual walk and my service to ministry. It is this husband and wife team, one of my greatest inspiration and influence in my life.

One of the biggest highlight of my trip here in Adelaide, I mean either than catching up with friends was off course as mentioned in my earlier post was The U2 Concert. I wasn't the only excited one about the concert, the whole Adelaide was in the U2 euphoria. The whole 16th November Thursday, radio stations played nothing but U2 songs and even after the concert, they played back the concert live on radio. It was the biggest event in Adelaide in decades and the biggest rock concert ever in Adelaide. I've never seen a traffic jam in Adelaide all my life until that day. Everyone was jamming to the AAMI Stadium. It was like "you too?? going for U2??" and everyone was in that mood that even business entrepreneurs was on this bandwagon to promote business.

It was a long 2 hour wait in the freezing cold for U2 to come out on stage in fact it was too cold a night for a rock concert but what the heck, once U2 came on stage and opened with City of Blinding Lights, we were spelling C.O.L.D as B.O.N.O.

The crowd in the stadium was massive and as you can see from my shot, that's how far I was from stage. People were camping the night before at the AAMI Stadium so that they can get a good standing space when the door opened. I just thank God the place I was in may not have had a good view, but at least the sound was good. Every single detailed of The Edge's tones could be heard. I started to warm up most to the concert when Beautiful, Vertigo and Elevation came on. Even from so far away, the energy from stage could be felt from where I was, 400 m away.

My only disappointment for that night had to be that I was way too far from stage. Bono and band looked liked walking black peanuts from where I was. But thank God for the fantastic arts display used. The massive giant screen served as an animated backdrop. The graphics and animation was sensational.

Every time I watch a U2 DVD live in concert somewhere, some how always feel very "sthim", so I am always concern that will I ever be able to differentiate U2 anointing with Worship Experience anointing? Well the answer is yes. I can differentiate when there's God in a concert and that itself is a big difference factor between a U2 Rock Concert and a Worship Concert. Yes, I felt chills running down my spine when U2 sang Where the Streets has No Name and With or Without You. But it was a different type of chill, it was just a chill of "they are playing my favorite song" and "sensational tones" but nothing touches your heart. It was there that i understood what really is The Heart of Worship.

What you see on DVD is really what you get man. Everything was the same, Bono brought a little boy up on stage when he sang Sunday Bloody Sunday and asked him a whole load of questions and giving us a "sermon", this time preaching to us how Abraham caused the fall of unity between the Christians and Muslims and kept chanting "Jesus, Mohamed, Co-exist". He also brought up a chick from the grounds when he sang With or Without You.

Overall, it was a sensational concert. A dream come true really, being able to see U2 live in concert with my own 2 eyes. I can now say that I experience a U2 concert myself, seeing my idol Adam Clayton play the bass, he is seriously good. A true example of a simple bass player but a good band player. I really should have had the guts to run up to him in Rundle Mall and thank him for inspiring me to play the bass. Seriously, when I first watched people like Marcus Miller, Flea, Nathan East, Billy Sheehan and Abraham Laboriel play the bass, I didn't want to pick up the bass but it was after watching Adam Clayton play that you know a simple bass player goes a long way too. In fact I think he is one simple bass player that has gone all the way. If you read his history, he wasn't sure of his role in the band and one day Bono bought him a bass and asked him to try out the bass for the band and he hasn't looked back since. From being forced to pick up the bass at such an old age now look where he is. Indeed, my my bass hero.

Another great highlight of my trip in Adelaide was off course hanging out with the Orange Boys and we did do Asian Disconnect 2. But it's too good that it can't appear on this block as I realised that I have viewers age below 18 visiting this blog. Well, maybe Orange lane guest star Ian Chong might post something on his blog about it. It has something to do with Texas Hold-em poker.

Gosh, I hate Monday blues...............

Finally!!!

2006-11-16T23:40:00.000+08:00

I can finally strike this off my "Things to do before I die list":

GO TO A U2 CONCERT

One word sums up the concert, AWESOME!! It was easily the biggest thing ever in Adelaide in decades. Every radio station was playing nothing but U2 the whole day.

On another note away from the concert. Wing Sun saw Bono, but papers reported that it could be an imposter of Bono. But me, I really without a doubt saw the bassist of U2 on Rundle Mall. Yes, I saw Adam Clayton shopping on Rundle Mall. I was too chicken to approach him, just in case it wasn't him because he looked fatter than usual but in the concert when I saw him on the big screen. It was really Adam Clayton.

More on U2 later, for now I want to enjoy the after sensational feeling the concert.

so far so nice!!

2006-11-12T22:29:00.000+08:00

It's been a blast here so far in Adelaide. Really good to be back here and meeting up with old friends. Great to have been able to be here for Nicci's wedding.... I mean birthday. I apoligize again Nic for spoiling your surprise not once, not twice but THREE times. Happy Birthday again!!

The Birthday girl herself

Nicci with her boyfriend Chris and his dad

Nicci and the family

My journey is off course not without the traditional "name being announce on airport PA system" for passengers late for their flight. However, this time I topped it by entering the wrong aircraft. You see, I was already late to the gate and KLIA personnels will be KLIA personnels, didn't check my boarding pass and just let me in and I just entered the aircraft only to find my seat 31A taken. After a short "discussion" with the fella on my supposedly seat, I embarassingly excused myself and quickly rushed into the correct aircraft, if not I would have probably ended up somewhere in the middle east seeing that there were a lot of middle eastern on the flight.

Orange boys already had their first bonding session. We went out and cleaned Zie's car together.

While Zie and I are hard at work

the other 2 decides to be posers

Overall, certainly good to be back!!! Hope to be able to catch up with everyone or as many people as I can while I am here. Thanks again Orange boys for the night of Texas Hold-em Poker

random

2006-11-10T00:59:00.000+08:00

I had an awesome time in cell last night. Wasn't really in the mood and was quite tempted to call in and say I couldn't make it. But, it was great. It was one of those "thank God I went" kind of thing. The cell leader John had us pair up and got us to speak words of knowledge and prophecy to our partner. The word I got from my partner Jerome was spot on. It was great encouragement when he spoke those words.

Tomorrow I am off to Adelaide... I am all excited and I can't wait for this......

Also, look out for the sequel of:

exam seasons

2006-11-07T17:02:00.000+08:00

Even though I graduated from Uni some 6 years ago, I still remember how exam season was like. Last year in Bible College did bring back memories of how exam season was like.

So since it's exam seasons now, I thought I share my experience of how I coped with exams, how I sneaked in extra 1/2 hours of sleep here and there because of techniques I've come out with to cut short "getting ready time". All this I will share today with all of you.

Things that you must have or have stocked up during exam periods:

Bottles of 7-up (pref 7-up zero)
Boxes of Pizza
Coffee Powder
Clean Wipes
Cheap Perfume

One thing I found during exam periods is that every minute is precious to you. You want to cut down on things like cooking, bathing, washing-up, etc etc so that you can have extra time to study and sleep. I worked out a strategy that will still help you get enough rest and enough time to cramp, however certain sacrifices have to be made.

As mentioned, cooking takes up a lot of time. So, make use of those Dominos and PizzaHut promotion where it says something like buy 1 free 1 kind of thing. It's okay to over buy because it'll come in handy. Eat what you want and put the remaining in the fridge, remember it's okay to overstock on the pizzas, these pizzas will take you through your breakfast, lunch, dinner and supper and snacks. Oh yeah.. don't buy snacks, just stick to the pizzas... it makes good snacks, besides after spending on the pizzas, you won't have money for snacks. So the main purpose of the pizza is to minimize going out for dinner and all.

Now comes the more interesting stuff, how to stay awake the whole night feeling fresh to study. Studying late into the night is actually easy, all you need is coffee powder and a tablespoon beside you. Take note, I said only coffee powder and a tablespoon. Nothing else is required. When you've hit 1am and still want to muck but you feel absolutely sleepy? Swallow one tablespoon of coffee powder and don't drink any water with it until at least 15 minutes later. I guarantee you, it beats drinking red-bull or smoking a fag to stay awake. It's all in one, it relieves stress like how cigarettes do and keeps you wide awake for the next 2-4 hours, depending on your tolerance level to coffee. If the taste of coffee powder is too strong for you, down one slice of cold pizza from the fridge, it will help. That's why I can't stress enough, stock up on the pizzas.

To cramp in sufficient sleep, I've developed this technique. it'll guarantee to cut and help save between 10 minutes to 45 minutes and for some up till 1 hour. We spend a fair bit of time washing up in the morning and getting ready. This method that I am going to teach you will come in extra handy on days when you have early morning papers. The night before, wear the clothes you want to wear for the next morning, wrap your head in a shower cap before sleep so the next day you're dressed and your hair is not messed up. Don't need to take a bath, use one clean wipe to wipe your face and spray the cheap perfume, go downstairs, eat one or two slices of cold pizza, the will be your breakfast as well as a method of brushing your teeth. You see, cold pizza is hard and it will help scrub dirt of your teeth. Finally, gargle and swallow one mouth full of 7-up. This will rinse your mouth and take away the bad breath leaving your breath smelling minty and that will also be your one cup of water early in the morning. As you can see, the amount of time saved :

Time used to change clothes and comb hair - 0 minutes
Time used to eat pizza - 1 minute
Time used to gargle with 7-up - 20 seconds
Total time spent - 1 minute 20 seconds

1 minute 20 seconds compared to:

Take of pyjamas - 1 minute
Brush teeth - 3 minute (according to dental advise)
Take bath - 20-45 minutes
Decide on clothes to wear - 2-5 minutes
Wear clothes - 3-6 minutes
Comb hair - 1-5 minutes
Make and eat breakfast - 10 minutes
Total time spent - 40 minutes to 70 minutes

Sleeping is as important as studying. What I suggest and it may not work for all, I tape up everything that I need to remember into a recorder and play it while I am sleeping. I get to study and sleep at the same time. Waking up fresh the next day and feeling extra knowledgeable.

I hope some of my tips will help those taking exams now. I want to wish everybody all the best of the best for their exams. My tips may be good but ultimately God is the one who gives strength and wisdom. So, don't forget your QT in the midst of your exams, don't leave God out.

disclaimer: follow my exam study tips at your own risk. Health issues may be a side effect

It's a Happy November

2006-11-05T23:54:00.000+08:00

It's already the month of November. Time has passed so fast. Anyhow, this month is a happy month for me and right now feeling very happy. Why?

Got a chance to speak in YC again today after many many months. I just hope I didn't cause anybody to backslide or make people doubt God in the process.

I am going to Adelaide for a holiday and to watch the some Irish Band called U2 which is a dream come thru. Now I hope David didn't loose my tickets.
Catching up with friends in Adelaide and a chance to celebrate aunty Chiew Har's b'day.
Singapore currency is at 2.36 from 2.25 last month. Woo Hoo!!! Which translated to shopping spree in KL this trip back.
I am all well from my flu.

I'll start playing the blues again when I return back from Adelaide on 19/11.

Octopus vs. Shark

2006-11-02T01:34:00.000+08:00

Before you watch this clip. Just imagine a giant octopus vs. a great white shark.... Who will win the challenge??? Place your bets...... the Octopus?? or the Shark.......

I just found this clip so myterious....

aging gracefully?

2006-10-27T19:57:00.000+08:00

In a couple of years time I'll be hitting the big 30 and I look back and wonder how has my growth been. Off course maturity wise, I've aged accordingly or so I think but I've often wonder in the last 27 years, have I been aging gracefully? So, I thought I take a small journey backmemory lane and see how I've been aging and the numerous phase I've been through.

I was born on 15th January 1979. Sorry, I couldn't find a picture of myself when I was a baby so I'll start off in the year 1981, when I was a innocent 2 year old.

I was told I was ugly as a baby and I honestly can't recall how I looked like when I was a baby, but I didn't looked too bad as a 2 year old. At this phase in my life I was still living the normal 2 year old life, wearing 2 year old clothing. When I turned 5, a new phase I encountered, it was called the superhero phase, I would not leave the house unless I was wearing something that resembled a superhero. I remember having a full superman, spiderman and batman suit. I think my parents burnt those pictures away as I could not find any. The only picture I could find was this and this was considered very mild.

Than I entered the phase where I only wanted to look like my dad. You see, my dad has been my hero since I was a kid, so it was a transition of dressing like superhero to a local here which was my dad.

Me, seen here carefully buttoning up my first ever tailor made batik. My dad will always have extra batik cloth and he'll always use that left over to make a batik for me, he was so proud to have a "mini-me"

Me, like any other 6 year old would do.. standing tall to make his dad feel proud.

Things took a dive when I hit about 7 or 8 years old. I think my sis always wanted a baby sister and not a baby brother. So, I found myself wanting to make my sister happy and thus, I ended up wearing girl's clothing. A real-life Barby doll for my sis to play with.

Well, that more or less sums up the phases I went through in my childhood. Entering into my teenage hood, where I first discovered the meaning of wearing spectacles. Being a first timer to wearing specs, I wasn't sure what was the fashion than so I ended up with the good old Lucky Strike glasses which seems to be the in-thing now again.

I can't recall anything much happening in my teenage life either than I hormones started to act up and my eyes started to look at girls. I do recall, having railway lines on my teeth though. I recalled it was quite a smooth and enjoyable experience. I always enjoyed going to the orthodontist because she was hot and the nurse that took care of me was hot too. But, teenage life was a bliss, just up to some mischief here and there. I remember my home-fellowship leader calling me "banyak-kuat" translated to Cantonese means a lot of bones. I recall, the slumber parties we guys had and doing poser pics thinking were some macho "hip-hop" gangs-ta paradise.

I guess, it was in College/Uni that I started to look good. Why do I say that? Well in high-school never had a girl interested in me, multiple rejections from the girls and even Cheryl and Sue Ann said "Thank God U grew up". College/uni, had some girls interested in me and having my first relationship would probably mean that my looks began to have found favour with members of the opposite sex or maybe they had to look deep deep deep inside my heart.

I tried to have longer hair in my uni days. The picture above was me trying to spot that Korean, HK superstar look but obviously failing in the process. I think I was getting ready for The Annual International Ball when I was in Brisbane.

I recall, my body was at its best when I was in Uni. I played amateur league soccer than, so I guess the training and weekend matches helped. As you can see above, I had abs than. I never had a tondi when I was younger. I guess that key word here is younger. It was in Uni too that I found out that I had a brain or else I wouldn't have ended up wearing this robe.

Going back this memory lane, it sure has shown me that God's hands has been upon my life since I was a baby. When you see a tombstone, it usually has something like this engraved on it "Mark Tan, 1979-2040". I'll always look at the " - ", the small little dash is the one that shows the journey that one has had. And I thank God for the journey so far, lots of ups and downs, lots of bumps and lots of hurts and lots of joyful memory and lots fun. I truly thank God that he has brought me from

THIS

TO THIS

So, I wonder...... have I been aging gracefully or not???

a career change?

2006-10-22T00:21:00.000+08:00

Recently, I've been wondering if I am in the right line? Am I finding a correct career in the field of Information Security. I remember, when I first graduated; believe it or not my first job offer was to be a rocker. Well almost literally a rocker, I was offered to bass for a pub band. The money wasn't too bad, it was a 3-4 month contract thing and they wanted to pay me RM2000 a month. I thought not bad for a 3-4 month thing before heading right out to the work force. But having Asian parents, off course there was a lot of objection, and me being the good son that I am decided to keep the peace in the house and went straight into a bank and worked. But now, I've been thinking of a career change, something really outside of what I am doing, so I thought what could I be. I've been watching The Next American Super model lately and I thought what it would be like if I changed path and pursued a career in the modeling world. So, I took a glimpse into how I might look as a model. Here's a picture from an ad which I modeled for Giordano.

Looking at it, according to Wing Sun, a girl who heavily criticise my looks all the time, she said I actually looked hot. So maybe there is a hope in the modeling industry for me.

something new to look to

2006-10-11T00:16:00.000+08:00

Isn't she pretty? Her name is Fiona Xie. I have to thank Isabel Yap for introducing her to me. She's one of the more famous Singaporean actress, she's one of the reasons why I am hook on Singapore shows. Since loosing Siti Nurhaliza, she makes a good "replacement". But as usual, like Siti, she way beyond reach.

Right now, the closest to a Xie I will get to is just a Zie.......

a dose of paradise

2006-10-03T23:00:00.000+08:00

The Paradise team came and went. It was so nice to have them as they brought great memories of Adelaide back to me. Being koolie for them was certainly great memories of my life in Adelaide. I am not being sarcastic here, thought I better mention that before someone misreads this again and tell the whole world I am a racist. I look back at those memories and thank God for the lessons He has taught me from there. Anyway, it was great to meet up with guys like Ollie, Amand again. But none can beat meeting up with Mike Raj again. Great to be able to catch up with him again and get up to "adventures" in Singapore together. What a blast we had together down south.

I have to admit, I do miss Adelaide. Do hope one day I can experience life there again. Adelaide is really not a fantastic place but it is the people that makes the place so nice, friendly and warm. To all in Adelaide, thank you again for the great memories. To the orange boys, stay naughty and dirty.

life in transit

2006-09-27T15:44:00.000+08:00

I sat and pondered couple of weeks back reviewed how has my life been? Last year, my life was like I was on a train platform. Waiting for a train to take me a destination and problem was I didn't know which train to take. So last year was a year of seeking God and wanting to follow His will for my life and many trains went past, not knowing which train to take, affraid to board a train which I thought might head to the destination God wanted me to go. Finally I boarded a train and what a journey that train ride was. It derailed a few times, but some how God put it back on track and the journey on the train continued. Many times I questioned God, did I take the right train? I kept asking God, why is this train travelling so slow? why is this train making so many stops. Without knowing, God was actually teaching me something on board this train. The journey was a valueble lesson in many aspect. When I question God "why is the train travelling so slow", God answers "it has to travel slow because the surroundings can't permit the train to travel fast, to switch tracks the train has to travel slow." Just like my life, I had to slow down and observe my surroundings, taking corners slowly, make a steady climb up a terrain. Each time, I insisted to the train master to speed in this surroundings, the train derails. I realised that I want to travel fast it's because i hate life going at such a slow pace but God wanted me to learn new values in those times, new values like patience, humility, love, etc. And it's only when the train is slow that we can see and feel each bump on the tracks, see every detailed of the surroundings and make wise decisions from there. You see the train master has to determine how fast a train can travel based on its surroundings and that's why it has to slow down and look. So we in life have to slow down and look out for ourselves and observe the surroundings. Make good wise judgement.

In the train, I again questioned God, why must the train make so many stops. God answers "this is not an express train. You can go down the train have stretched and maybe take a look around." And i reflect back on my life and realised that if the train I was on was an express train, many life's experiences I would have missed. Many scenic country towns I would have missed or only enjoyed the view from the window of the train. Each stop the train made, marks new life experiences God has given me, new friends God has brought to me, new talents founds, etc etc. I bagan to understand the mighty power of God how he in His detailed planning for my life chose which station the train should stop. And as I look back, each stop was a new experience to build me to reach the next level.

What is the status of my life now? Either than being single and open, I realised that the train I am on has arrived at a destination. So life is like this, it's like a student who knows that he/she is destined to study medicine in let's say Hong Kong. But when he/she first arrives at Chap Lap Kok airport, he/she will be blur, not know where to go to grab a cab, where's Uni of Hong Kong etc. That's my life now, I've arrived at somewhere but I don't know where and how to get about now from here. I guess I've always prayed for God's will to be done in me, but I only prayed God bring me to where you want me to be but I never continued on that prayer and asked what now after I've arrived? Is this only a transit like how when I travel to Adelaide, I transit in Changi Airport from KLIA before flying to Adelaide. So is this a transit? or is this it? How long is the transit? Most of the time, we ask God how long does it take Him to take us where he wants us to be? But in truth, God has brought us where he wants us to be, we just need to ask God now how do we acclaimatise. We get confused that we're not in God's will because surroundings are unfamilliar. Off course surroundings are unfamiliar, we don't travel to California, USA and know where is route 65 or where know exactly where is Disney World. We have to ask for directions, rent a car, etc. God can only lead but we have to make the initiatives to get accustomed to the environment or we miss the big picture God has installed for us.

I guess I have to start asking for directions or rent a car now before I miss the big picture.

the week the girls didn't make it

2006-09-14T22:03:00.000+08:00

Over the last 2 to 3 months, I've been following 2 reality shows very closely. Rockstar:Supernova and believe it or not Singapore Idol. 2 girls in particular that I've supported in this two reality, Dilana for Rockstar:Supernova and Jasmine Tye for Singapore Idol has lost out to the boys this week.

Dilana

The first time she burst onto stage on Rockstar:Supernova singing Lithium by Nirvana, I knew this chick was going to go all the way. I so confident that she'll win. A pure example of a rocker chick. Every song she touches, it turns into gold. Not anyone can turn a Cindy Lauper song into a sensation or take The Police Everybreath to another level. I was certain she was going to front Supernova.

But it was not to be, she went all the way to the top 2 and lost out to Billy Idol wannabe Lukas Rossi. The arrogant guy I learnt not to like from the start. It's no doubt that Lukas is good, in fact from the first episode, everyone knew the final 2 would be Lukas and Dilana but I was so confident that Dilana was going to win. I can't understand why she didn't win? I guess when it's down to fans voting, anything is possible. I just feel Dilana has a more overall tonal range, better control of her tones. But I guess the world is not ready to see a female fronting a band with Gilby Clarke, Jason Newstead and Tommy Lee.

Jasmine Tye

This girl the judges in Singapore Idol described as from a potato sack to a flower with a scent that smells like a wonderful jasmine. Well, yeah she started off bad but I got hooked to her because every week her performance just got better and better. I knew she wasn't going to win Singapore Idol but for her age, she knew how to stand her ground and there's a certain character about her that makes her stand out. She has been the last girl standing from the top 6 onwards. She managed to stand her own ground up till the top 3. Her rendition of My Valentine in the top 3 competition really made me want to be her valentine. I was quite certain she was going to make it to the top 2 and probably end up as runners up.

But at the top 3 competition. It was Jasmine Tye, Hardy Mirza and Jonathan Leong. Hady Mirza I like and I hope he wins, but Jonathan Leong over Jasmine Tye? I just don't understand why everyone including the judges like him so much? He's just a poser with a single tonal voice with no character. I feel he tries so hard to be somebody but the judges insist that he is one of the most original singer in the contest. I think most of his votes came from the girls who just likes his so called good looks. Hady Mirza, I hope you beat Ah Beng Leong.

Looks like it hasn't been a fair week for the girls.

the morning paper

2006-09-11T23:56:00.000+08:00

I was reading The Star Online this morning and 3 articles caught my eyes.

Students Opt to do Medicine in Bali

It seems that Bali is not just a favourite holiday destination among Malaysians but it seems to be a favourite destination to pursue a medical degree. I didn't even know that a Udhayana University existed in Bali. When I was in Bali, I asked the locals if there was any university in Bali, and they answered no university, just college. Unless to them college=university or Udhayana just got built. Anyway, I am not out to bag any university neither am I going to question the validity of the medical certificate there because the paper stat that its accreditation is equal to any other overseas university but I want to write on me imagining if my parents sent me to Bali to study. If may parents told me I was going to study in Bali, I think I would be quite excited. When I was in Bali, there was seriously no sense of time. It was like a Sunday everyday. I can imaging with a no sense of time culture, I wonder will there be deadlines for assignments.

I am just imagining, 6 years of joyous studies. Well, maybe the only sad point is the lodging. I can imaging how lodging will be like, probably dark and and secluded but still I doubt a person like me can actually get any studying done in Bali. I would constantly be thinking of the beach, the cheap Balinese message, eating babi guling everyday (aww.. that's making me hungry now), chilling out in Hard Rock cafe (and pray a bomb doesn't go off) and literally living like a King. I can almost imaging my weekends in either Nusa Dua or enjoying the cool weather in Ubud. So I really wonder, can anyone actually get any studies going in Bali??

Widower Offers to Marry Ageing Prostitutes

This man in the kindest of his heart is offering his hand in marriage to 10 prostitutes who are in their 50s. I don't know, this opens up to a debate. One marrying not out of love but out of sympathy? Let's not involve the Bible or what God says first but let's look at it from a humane point of view. You marry out of sympathy because this ladies plight appeared on the papers that they are finding it hard to get "business" because no men wants to sleep with a grandmother. So to solve it, I marry them. On one hand I take my hats of to this guy but on the other hand I just can't understand how a man can marry without loving a woman? Yes, he says that his take on it is that he gets companionship in exchange... but companionship with more than 3 ladies? I just cannot get hold of the fact that one marries out of sympathy and for the sake of companionship. I may not have been married before to understand the meaning of loosing a wife, loosing a companion. But I would imaging, if I lost my wife, my best friend.. I don't think I can marry someone just for the sake of sympathy and for the sake of having someone by my side, how does this lady even replace the kind of love my wife would have given to me? That's why i say, I take my hats of to this guy. If it was me, I don't think I can marry someone without loving the person. Don't get me wrong, I can accept a girl if she has a colourful past and i dare say I'd marry a girl in that trade but I can only marry only if i love the girl. I mean at the end of the day, marriage is sacred no matter how old you are and not advertising on papers asking if any ladies wants to marry?? Where's the sacredness?? I guess unless I am commanded by God like how he commanded Hosea to marry a prostitute. That too I believe God did put in his heart to love that girl despite the girl's background and despite the girl back stabbing him. I guess at the end of the day it is interesting to see how marriage is taking into so many context. Marry out of love? marry out of sympathy? marry for the sake of companionship? No wonder in marriage counselling, the first question they ask the couple "What is marriage to you??"

Which Line do I Call for HELP??

And the last article that caught my eye was "Which line do I call for help?". Well, we have 999, 991, 994, 112. Geez, why can't we just be like the US have one centralize number 911. This is ridiculous, previously it was good, 999 reached the fire dept, ambulance and police and after the various agencies took over, there's different numbers now. I can't even understand why in the first place did they even approve the other numbers. It's like the fire department decides to privatise themselves and have have their own unique number 994. Come to an emergency, a member of the public like me is not going to remember was it 994 for the FD or was it 991 or was it 992?? Here we are heading towards vision 2020 and we don't even know what emergency number to call. And now realising the confusion, the authorities are looking into funding to make 999 the centralise numbers again. Talk about reaching for your nose through the back of your head.

i am an addict 2

2006-09-06T11:32:00.000+08:00

I have been very tired lately, I think it is due to too much travelling. Yesterday was one of my worse days in office ever. Lately I've been trying to kick off my caffeine addiction habit and have been quite successful and have reduced to one cup a day during lunch and for the rest of the day drinking green tea as a form of "nicotine patch". However yesterday, I had a relapse, a very bad one. 7 cups of coffee and 2 cans of coke in order to function at minimum level. Somehow the green tea just didn't cut it yesterday and had to resort back to good old caffeine in order to stay awake in the office and to stay alert enough to make positive contributions in my meetings.

It is only 11:50am now, and already I am at my 3rd cup of coffee. Sometimes I just wonder, is coffee really that potent to help keep you awake or is it a psychological thing that was in-grain inside me since I was young that "coffee helps keeps one awake". I was thinking, if my mom in-grained in me that "water keeps one awake", would water really make me feel awake? I know if I splash water on my face, it does help a tiny bit. So is it psychological? If it is, from tomorrow onwards, I am going to tell myself "water keeps one awake", but than the thing is when I think water I think of this:

yes it looks refreshing, and you should feel awake, but when I see this, I think about the sound of the waterfall and the midst form by the water splashing down and this makes me sleepy. I think I'll declare a work from home afternoon. Hope everyone doesn't feel as lethargic as me.

love is like the wind, you can't see it but feel it...

2006-09-05T01:11:00.000+08:00

I am not known to be a cry baby and my good friends can swear to that. But this movie did the job. It's only the second movie ever to make me cry.

I think it's such a beautiful movie. So many elements of God in it, even most of the tracks are christian tracks. I like the key phrase of the movie "love is like the wind, you can see it but you can feel it". That is so much like our relationship with God. We can't see God but we can feel God. How we feel God is how much faith we have in God and that was what the movie was trying to get at. Man, I never knew a movie on a bus ride back to Singapore would bring me to tears, esp the part when Landon reconciled with his dad and when the girl told the guy he was a God sent angel and the girl's father telling the boy that he was the miracle. I hope I can be miracles in people's life too.

Off course there is stupid elements to the movie, like tell me who on earth won't fall in love with an innocent looking Mandy Moore??? I mean if it was me, it won't take a school play to make me fall in love with her. Imagine if they put a ugly innocent girl.. than we'll see if this guy will fall in love or not and getting married at 18?? And just dated the girl for a couple of months?? And the what doesn't make sense.. the dad agreed when he was the one that hated the poor boy's heart. How just a few months can make a difference... so ridiculous lar.. but guess that's hollywood, you need some spice in the movie.

But whatever it is... still lar the movie succeeded in making an old 27 year old tear. Must be the metrosexual side of me coming out.

help!! i'm an addict

2006-09-01T00:10:00.000+08:00

I am a self professed tv addict and since my move to Singapore, this addiction has grown even more. Back home in KL, it's understandable if you're glued to Astro because if no one is glued to Astro, Malaysia's primier satelite tv company doesn't make money. But now in Singapore, I've actually been hooked on their national tv channel. I have to say that singapore tv channels beats RTM, TV3 anytime. Probably only 8TV and NTV7 comes close it. But this is not the point I am getting at, my addiction for tv has been fueled, more so for my lack of social life here. I only got out for cell on wednesday and I don't have that many friends here in Singapore for me to go out for "yum cha" everynight. So my lovely companion everynight has been non other than the idiot box and such a good companion it is that it has made my fall in love with a couple of series

So now, I've got my staple "diet" of tv shows that i must watch each day in a week and I believe this are good wholesome shows to watch. I'll let you be the judge.

The Measure of Men

I somehow have gotten myself hooked on Singapore serials. Now this serials is not just about the good looking chicks in it but it's about real practical problems men go through. Ladies, if you want to understand an Asian men better, you should watch this. How as men, are we measured, is it about the income we bring back or is it about the love we shower, how we spoil our wife and girlfriends. So this revolves around 3 men at various stages of their lives, There's a henpecked husband who tries his best to balance his responsibilities to his ageing parents with his duties as father and husband to his demanding wife and young son. There's also a young man who struggles to grapple with more responsibilities as a young father and husband to an immature wife. And finally, there's the commitment-phobic who flees at the mention of marriage and commitment after he witnesses the stresses of having a family from his married friends. All typical everyday problem with men, it's interesteing to see how their ladies come to that middle point of understanding. How to balance of a men's ego with the women's own feelings. Quite a heart warming drama I would say.

Holland V

Yes another Singapore serial. I've heard so much about this drama that I had to catch it. Only problem is that this drama is at 5:30pm on a Thursday, so sometimes Thursday is declared a work from home day before of Holland V. It's a bout the Mo family and how despite their differences how they still stay as a family and how they maintain their family nasi lemak stall.

Commander in Chief

This show is a refreshing, having too many male centered egoistic president dramas around, it's nice to see how possible U.S will be runned if a women is at the helmed. Though some of the story line seems too ideal, I mean it's tv for heaven's sake but it still leaves you with a nice feeling after watching the show. It's nice to see the president of the U.S ruling with a balance of feelings and power. I like it too because this show potrays good family value and teaches men how to support your wife if your wife has a more dominant role than you at work. Overall I think this show is worth my staying up on a thursday night.

Grey's Anatomy

I think this is one of the best medical drama. I rate this higher than Chicago Hope and ER. I love the performances by Sandra Oh, she just brings a lot of colour to the medical drama world. I Grey Anatomy is because the producers choose to focus more on everyday problems in the hospital instead of a super duper story line where there's massive earthquake or terrorist attack on the hospital. This is simple yet big problems faces each day in a doctor's life, in the hospital, outside in their relationship, etc etc. I wonder have just become a sucker to Sandra Oh???

Frasier

I just love Eddie the dog. If only I can have such an obedient dog. I know this sitcom is old and I never did like this sitcom. But since this comes on at 1am and that's about the time I wind down, so this is like the second last show I watch since there's nothing else nice to watch. But anyhow, I've grown to like the dry humour in Frasier,and there's the subtle and crude jokes too. Watching Kelsey Grammar and David Hyde Pierce is hilarious especially the episode where Miles findsout that he is a "slow swimmer" and he goes out and buys all this gadgets to futher his performance. I just find myself in stitches after watching Frasier.

CIS: Miami

Well since I am in stitches most of the time after Frasier, so I find myself glued to CSI: Miami from 1:30am to 2:30am. No wonder I complain of being sleepy all the time. Anyway, I'm always having global meetings at 2:30 in the morning so this show has been a good companion for me. CSI:Miami is my favourite among the 3. I certainly prefer Haratio Caine to the other 2 CSI chief. There's something about David Caruso's acting that brings out the "coolness" of a CSI. Off course the chicks are hotter in CSI:Miami, maybe that could be the reason I like CSI:Miami the best.

The O.C

Even though I've already finished season 3 of The O.C in Adelaide, I still like watching it again. I just like wacthing the characters of Seth Cowen and Ryan. Off course the undying marriage or Sandy and Kirsten. But I can't stand the girls, both Summer and Marrisa. How can anyone be as dumb and dorky as Summer and someone be as idiotic as Marrisa. I guess it was good that the producers killed off Marrisa at the end of the season. But anyway, this show although has it's sinful nature to it, but erasing all the sinfulness of the show.. well after erasing there's nothing much... or maybe some. Anyway, there's is little good in the show, teaches you love and supporting each other. Family sticking out for each other no matter how rotten one maybe and friends constantly sticking out and helping each other and making sure that friendship doesn't expire. Yeah.. it's a show and things looks ideal.. but it certain can teach one not to give up on each other.

Prison Break

Okay, this is not on Singapore tv. But I bought the whole DVD series over from KL and for a while it has been my weekend companion. The suspense in the show, I couldn't have taken the suspense if I started watching it in Adelaide. I mean, each episode is such a cliff hanger even the last episode was a big cliff hanger. I salute the producers for this show. I don't how they can stretch a prison break-out to 22 episodes and still have a second season.. I really cannot wait for second season to end now. I am currently disciplining myself not to watch the second season of Prison Break and wait till the end again and just get the DVD and watch it through.

This is another show that's so well produced. No wonder this is an emmy winner. Anyway, I decided to watch this again is because I watched season 5 so sporadically that I couldn't piece the whole storyline together in the end so I decided to re watch it. The way they spread like 4 different story lines in "one" day. From the president assasination to a nerve gas to taking the president down because of treason..WOW!!!! no wonder you have to take 24 hours just to watch it through straight.

I am surprise that I didn't list Smallville as one of my tv companion shows. I guess I've started to loose interest in Kritin Kruek, I mean I still think she's hot but what the heck man... at the end of the day you and I know that Clark and Lana doesn't get together. But the last straw is seeing Lana and Lex Luthor together?? I mean what was the producers thinking lar??? Well thank goodness that Lois Lane (Erica Dunrance) is hot too. If ever I watch Smallville is more for Chloe Sullivan (Elison Mack). And that's what that has been keeping me sane in good old Singapore. To more tv shows

I really really should trade all this tv for more reading, esp since I stay in a flat with a haven of books. Yeah, in case you didn't know, my landlord is a book distributor so he uses the living room as his storage. So there's like piles and piles of books from Danielle Steel to Grisham to Stephen King to Dr. Phil to christian authors like Joyce Meyer, John Bevere, Joel Osteen. Maybe it's time to cultivate reading as a hobby.

settling down

2006-08-29T21:42:00.000+08:00

I recently went for a friend's wedding and somehow after this wedding, something that has never struck me has finally struck, The Settling Down Bug. It is a sucky feeling, I am beginning to understand what it means to be S.A.D. Single and Desperate. Anyway, I've decided to go in hunt for my partner in an attempt to settle down or try and settle down. The hunt is coming good, I recently been meeting up with someone, we've had very nice dinners together. We just went to Italianis the other night and we shared a spagetthi together. Guess, my Saturday nights back to KL has been fruitful.

At this stage, I am sure you all out there are asking who is this person? Well, this person started of as a friend and the friendship slowly grew to what it is today. We've had many goodtimes. This person would come to spend nights at my place so that we could have some quality couple time. It's been nothing but bliss. I really like to tell this person, I treasure your friendship and I hope that you slowly get through your troubles and slowly find the path God wants you to walk. Thank you for the friendship, thank you for sharing my ice-kacang.

disclaimer : I am not gay.

making the uncomfortable comfortable

2006-08-18T02:00:00.000+08:00

I miss Adelaide so much. Watching THIS doesn't help ease the pain at all. And last year I couldn't stand Adelaide at all. I am amazed myself at the change of heart. Goes to show, you can make an uncomfort zone into a comfort zone if you make the effort too. I miss Adelaide so much now.

God help me make kiasuland a comfort zone now???

phobia movie

2006-08-14T23:35:00.000+08:00

This is definately a movie that I can't watch. Those who know me well knows that I have a huge phobia of snakes. I just can't stand them, I can't even look at a book with snakes on it. As you can see, I purposely chose a picture that doesn't have a sigle shot of a snake, just a poser picture of Samuel L. Jackson.

I can't understand why would anybody want to make a movie like that. I read on the web that at least 20% of the US population has a fear of snakes. Let's imagine, all the countries that's going to show this movie has a 20% statistic of people fearing snakes. Let's just take Malaysia, we have 23 million people so that means you already take away 4.6 million people who won't watch this movie and I am sure to be in the 4.6 million. I wonder did the movie producers do their business planning properly? I mean did they take into account the millions of people who already won't walk into the cineplex to watch this snake driven movie. I mean, you should just stop at Ananconda. One snake is okay... but a whole crate of snakes?? What were the producers thinking man???

sold out the cheap way

2006-08-07T00:48:00.000+08:00

I've became a sell out, I got myself one of those Crocs sandals. First introduced to me when I was still in Adelaide and i remembered telling everyone what a sell out that is and I will never ever buy that.

Well I take my words back, I got myself one. But off course being the chinaman that I am, I sold myself out half way only. I bought a fake Crocs from Orchard Road, Singapore. They branded it and I kid you not...... Buaya.

mogwai

2006-08-02T00:42:00.000+08:00

All I can say is; what an experience... music was great, very technical, concert hall, lights and sound was fantastic. My only regret was that I didn't bring ear plugs. I heard that mogwai plays loud in live concert, but I didn't realise it was that loud. It was louder than an F1 car at high rev.

At least I fulfill my requirement of at least a concert a year. Off course the biggest miss of the year was still U2.

It was a so near yet so far case... maybe I can still make it for their 16th November date in Adelaide. David Ng, keep my ticket properly

datuks driving proton tiaras and honda city

2006-07-31T01:17:00.000+08:00

High profile datuks these days seems to have decided that local cars and japanese cars are the way to go. As one can oberve, lately seems to a neck of driving proton tiara and honda city.

First there was datuk effendi norwawi

He decided to go with a tiara, a beautiful tiara jaqcuelina

Than there was this dude, Datuk Khalid Mohd Jiwa.

He opted for the higher performance and more sleeker honda city. So he got himself a Siti.

Oh Siti, why you do this to me? I would have accepted if you chose someone else around my age instead of someone who is old enough to be our daddy. Why couldn't you go for a normal bloke next door instead of a divorcee? Sigh Siti... it's already hard enough to see you get married but why lar does it have to be a divorcee? Someone who is still having close proximity with his wife? Is it the money? I promised you a big wedding in MPPJ Multipurpose hall, I would have shifted to DBKL Hall for you too. We could have earn a lot of money from the wedding dinner, the money earned could have bought us a condo in jalan alor or jalan masjid india... it's already hard to hear that you are getting married and now you have to air it live on RTM. Why you stepping on my heart until many many pieces.

I guess I should knock myself back down to earth and go in search of someone more achieveable, someone more within my grasp...I should continue my focus on Kristin

Wait, who am I kidding... that's even more unachieveable. Mark, knock yourself back down to earth... ahhh... I know...

Maybe no lar... that one knocking myself too far down to earth already... I should increase a bit...ahhh.. I know....

Than again, come to think of it... with this face....

Anybody also can get lar....... at the end of the day.. I think Wing Sun is right lar.. I do have a healthy self-esteem.

*disclaimer: no intentions or any underlying intentions were meant. this post was written in the name of fun

the bittersweet symphony

2006-07-27T16:04:00.000+08:00

I've heard great reviews about the legendary maestro Darren Ong, that's why I came back all the way from Singapore just for this recital. I chased busses and taxis just to be here this week for what I hear is going to be an explosive time with the maestro.

Darren according to Rejoice magazine is the most creative young person of our time. Having written and produce great musical plays such as Once Upon a Love story, he's taken time to do something that is very much from his heart, to graduate from Sedaya and hence this not to be missed recital. It promises the very best of Darren Ong, an accomplish pianist and keyboardist. In a recent interview with The YC Times, he said "It's going to be fun and filled with excitement, I promise a night of fun and excitement, you'll ramba with my samba and get chills from my Jazz and counter your blues with my musical blues".

Darren will be backed by an accomplish band of musicians from all over the Klang Valley. Drummer Rose G (sister of Sheila G) and guitarist Joe Loy Satriani is very sought after in Europe, Australia and Asia. Bassist Raymond Laboriel is a very sought after sessionist, having sessioned on RTM1 and didn't get paid a cent. Vocals is by the legendary Terry Yeow who brought a band from the brink of a Heartbreak to a constant beating Heartbeat. The band also features Isaac Joe Hendrix, an up coming guitarist in his own right. He has taken inspiration from such great guitarist as Man Kidal, Julian Mokthar, Bala, Jimmy Hendrix and Joe Loy Satriani.

The best part about this whole night is that it's free. It something Darren wants to do for the communitty because he just wants to share his love for music. A not to be miss musical extravaganza.

air asia worse than klse

2006-07-26T11:27:00.000+08:00

I booked an Air Asia flight ticket to Kota Kinabalu (KK) last Saturday for a close friend's wedding on the 23rd of September. I checked the Air Asia web-site and there was *THE MERDEKA SPECIAL-Flights as low as RM1.99* and tickets going to KK was at RM129.90. I thought it wasn't too bad considering the original price is RM269.90. Also, couple of days ago Air Asia announced to the press that they are raising fuel surcharge again and chances of air tickets going up was there. So I happily clicked and book my Air Asia ticket thinking I had a good deal.

Monday morning came and I decided to check the Air Asia web-site to see how much that plane ticket has gone up and this is what I saw!!!!

Flight tickets to KK was from RM29.90.... I ran straight into the wall!!! Literally as the hokkien would put it 'long piak' man.... I tell you watching Air Asia flight prices is worse than watching the stock market. I could have saved a bundle and used that money and stayed in a nicer hotel in KK instead I've to settle for a budget hotel. Or best save the money and go on a shopping spree in KK.

Well, I thought at least the consolation is that I'd get to check out Air Asia's new much talk about Airbus A320. I checked the web-site and saw that the A320 operates to KK. Checking further, I found that the A320 flies on all the scheduled times to KK except the one I booked. I ran straight to the wall and 'long piak' again.

my trip back to kiasuland

2006-07-20T00:49:00.000+08:00

the bus

Looks nice eh the bus, well the seats are comfortable but I had to get a seat that won't recline, so it was upright all 5 hours of the way back to Singapore. But that's not the adventure. At the Woodlands immigration, the bus actually left me there. Stupid bus driver didn't do a headcount, and just assume that after 15 minutes everyone is onboard. I couldn't help it that I was stuck behind the slowest lane to the immigration counter and that the custom's lane was equally long. So yeah, after 15 minutes the bus leaves, and a drama unfolds. Remember watching those romance story where the girl leaves on the bus and the guy chases after the bus, and furiously bangs on the door of the bus, begging the driver to let him in. That was the exact scence, except I wasn't chasing after a girl.. I was just chasing after a bus driver who left me behind.

the taxi

At the bus station, since it was late, it was about 9:45pm so thought I cut the chase and grab a cab home since I wanted to make the set of Baybeats. The line at the taxi stand was longer than the 2 MRT trains put together..I thought why was this? That I looked around, I saw taxis stopping everywhere except the frigging taxi stand. 15 minutes I waited and the line didn't even move, 1/2 hour and the line still didn't move, I really felt stupid waiting on a taxi line that wouldn't move because no taxi wanted to come up to the taxi stand because they chose to pick customers up from every other place. Talk about Singapore being a developed nation. Their taxi drivers are still 3rd world. Just like Malaysia, pick customers up from every other place except the taxi stand itself.

What a trip back

a great time of happiness

2006-07-17T15:45:00.000+08:00

The first part of this year was a clear rememberance of great happiness in my life. I thank God for this great time of happiness. I thank God for bringing these people into my life than to bring a great joy. I believe that it was a season that God had send this people to make me happy. I remember with great excitement each time I go home, I remember the home videos and photo shoots, I remember the break-in, I remember going on a titanic adventure. I miss those happy moments, it was a time to be treasured. I miss being part of the Orange Boys. Thank you for the 3 months of happiness.

Why do we have to be disconnected??

the squat

2006-07-06T16:27:00.000+08:00

Today was the first time I took a dang in my office toilet... As I was early for work, armed with a newspaper ready to release and when I walked into the toilet on my floor, I stared in horror!!! It's a squat toilet bowl... WHAT IN THE WORLD!!! CSC, a world class company, a Forbes 500 company, Top 100 IT company in the world, providing professional consulting services to the biggest company in the world........but provide 3rd world class toilets to its employee. I'm lost for words, now not only do I have to squat at home but also in the office. This only means that I'll "tahan" and only dang when I do my once a month visit back to KL.

the singapore sling..

2006-07-06T08:17:00.000+08:00

I came into work at 7am for a conference call meeting only to find out that it has been rescheduled to 9:30am. That's almost 2 hours of lost sleep. Now I am here all alone in a Singaporean office. Who would have thought, I know I didn't think that I will one day be here in Singapore working. So far not all has been bliss but neither has it been bad either. First day of worked really sucked big time. I come into work, the dude I was suppose to meet up 9am doesn't come into work until 9:45am, so that's almost 3/4 of an hour of waiting and when I was finally shown my desk, it was in a HUGE MESS!!!! I was like, are you kidding me??!!! Those people around used my desk as a storage area but never bothered to clear up. I ask those people if it's their I stuff and where can I put it? I didn't even asked them to clear up and all I got was hostile answers like "There's no where else to put it..." when all I asked where can I put those stuff in the most gentlest manner possible when deep inside me I was already starting to boil. Anyway, what's worse, I look over, there's this empty desk next to mine.. and guess what..!! No one is sitting there.. so I can't understand why is everything dumped on my desk when they have one HUGE empty desk next to mine...!!!! So, me in my I couldn't be bothered anymore attitude just took everything and dumped it there and was ready to bazooka anybody who dared to object. Summary, Singaporean office workers are hostile... Malaysian people who worked here are right. Singaporeans offer no help at all. Those that actually took the trouble to make sure I am okay and all are fellow foreign workers like me. My immediate collegues are fantastic people and it's no surprise, one is from Sri Langka and the other from Malaysia. You see, fellow foreign workers. The work environment here is the worse I've ever seen in my 4 years of working. I mean, it looks worse than a 3rd world country office. The first thing my director asked me when we met up for Jazz music was, "did you managed to find a decent chai?" and what a right first question to ask because the chair I got was worse than the chair I used in my room in Adelaide. Again, with my I couldn't be bothered attitude, I took the chair next to me which had no occupancy and was one of those contour back care chairs. I don't know how long before people start hating me here.

That on the above is only incident #1. I go up to the 8th floor to collect my temporary laptop. I had to wait like 2 hours for my laptop because the desktop support dude couldn't remember who I was and couldn't find my request form. That was really 2 hours of keeping my cool and biting my tongue considering the episode I went through earlier on. 2 hours of waiting and finally he finds my form, where does he find it?? From the pile of mess on his table. So, I open up the case to find an old 6++ old P3 laptop running on 256mb of RAM... in my mind I was thinking.. OH NO!! This laptop is stoneage!!! my work requirements require me to have a laptop with at least 512 MB or RAM and that too I've got to wait ages for my applications to load up.. and now a 256mb? I thought in my mind... it's only temporary.. I should have enough patience for a month.. so I casually asked the desktop dude.. this is "temporary right?" Dude said "NOPE!!" and Mark Tan gets pissed again... When I was in KL, I used a P3 with 768MB of RAM and my senior is saying sorry to me everyday that I have to put up with a laptop like this... and now THIS!!!!! Again... in my I couldn't be bothered attitude, emailed my director straight telling him that he's got to wait until cows come home to get my work because the laptop I got walks slower than a cow and thinks slower than pig... I'm really not joking, this laptop is cow cow slow!!! Sometime it pays just to take a I couldn't be bothered what people think attitude and ask for things because my director email back and said that he signed off a request form asking for a new laptop or at least one that can run as fast as a horse.

After the whole was gone, I thought back.. why was the day so sucky!! That's because I didn't pray for a good day. Like today, I didn't pray for a good day.. that's why my day sucked. I pray very hard for things to be good on the first day of work in KL, and everything was a breeze.. I even got my own room on the first 2 days of work, my laptop was even delivered to my by my senior. Than as I began to not pray so hard I saw my room became a cubicle and subsequently a desk. I guess, this are small lesson that God still teaches me that reliance and strength comes fully from Him. God brings us to situations like these to always remind us that we are to fully rely on Him and let Him take control of things. That's how our faith is built everyday. We need to see God work in the supernatural. And I realise it is also not my super "I couldn't be bothered attitude" that got me my new laptop, it's God letting us find favour.

I prayed and asked God for a strength and to let me have a better experience here and I could see doors starting to open. I had drinks with my director on Tuesday night in this fantastic Jazz Bar (thank God music in Singapore is rocking)and he told me that anytime I feel homesick or what.. just pack up and go back KL to work a couple of days to get over my homesickness or what not and that he will fund 4 official trips back with air ticket and full allowances. He even said, I don't have to inform him of those unofficial trips back to PJ, just as long as work is up to date. How much more of a flexible boss can I get, I thank God for a boss like this.

I've also found a place to stay, thanks to Fiona who went all out of her way to call up agents and all and going to appt after appt, putting up with grumpy old ladies and weird real estate agents. I owe her a great amount of thanks. The only Singaporean that cared for the welfare of a poor Malaysia.. Anyway, the place is nothing fantastic, I've got to go back to old school squatting style toilet and "tahan" having a store room as a living room. But, I get almost total freedom to the place because the landlord stays with her parents and her husband only comes in during the day just to some data entry work in his office (which is the other room). So the price I am paying for a master bedroom is already worth it but to have the place almost to myself is something else. And what's best, the landlord said make the kitchen mine and cook all I want (most other landlord doesn't permit cooking) and I'm allowed to have friends stay the night (but not often which is acceptable). The best thing of all, the unit is right opposite the MRT station and just infront of the lift is a bus stop with a direct less than 10 minute bus to my office. God is good. And another good thing... the landlord is open to short term stay.. so if I really can't take the squating toilet bowl.. I can still bail out in 2 months. God really really is good. You can have a glimpse of my soon to be new place.

The Room
Where I'll be spending most of my time
The Living Store Room
The Squat (not for the tempangs)

*pictures courtesy of Fiona

some random blah blah.....

2006-06-27T14:51:00.000+08:00

This is one of those post just to make my blog site still alive. You know, one of those mandatory updates that you have to do. I actually have something in mind to post, but it requires some effort like scanning pictures and all and I don't have the time to sit down and do it. Since David came back with 24 and The O.C, my time has been spent catching up on it and watching soccer. I don't know where does Kenny Sia find the time to actually update his blog so often and the fact that he takes his time to edit all those pictures?? Salute lar that one.. but I guess that makes the difference. He gets about 5000 readers a day and I can barely hit 40.

Talking about soccer, the Italians deserve to be out of the World Cup. I guess they were unlucky the last round against the Koreans and Guus Hiddink can't be lucky 3 times in a row, so I guess some luck is owed to Italy. But, so sad lar at the way Australia went out. That penalty I feel was a bad call. It should be made a rule, Russians and French can't be referees. One is too violent and flashes yellow and red cards non stop, the other one is too emotional and gives a pathetic charity penalty right at the last second of the match. It's like shooting me in the heart and saying I am sorry later??? And how can the headline on Soccernet quote "Italy stuns Aussies" When the Italians are suppose to be the giants of soccer with players like Del Perro and Totti. Australia deserved the game. Full Stop.

Counting down the days to the big move to "kiasu" land. Gosh, I hope this is the last time I have to move. Getting sick or moving and settling in. I've gotten so comfortable in my PJ office and the drag of having to settle into a new office again is just sucky. Why does life have to be like a lollipop sometimes? Feeling a bit anxious... haven't found a place yet and have to bunk with a cousin whom I've not spoken to in like 10 years. I feel so bad to be one of those who only calls when I need something. I use to critisise these type of people. If I had the money.. i would stay at strand but I don't... *sigh*.. have to impose on people and I hate that.

okay okay.. more to come.. more to come... soon I hope

moving back to the bad habits

2006-06-18T01:09:00.000+08:00

When I started work again, I told myself that I will not repeat some bad habits that I did when I last work. One of them, spending lots of money. I don't overspend but I can spend huge amount of money at one time, you know live the typical lifestyle of a yuppie. After having gone through a time of sacrifice last year where I did not work, where I not just think once but twice before spending, anyhow, with me working in Singapore now, I told myself that I must not shop in Malaysia and start converting, because I'll be like those "orang putihs", come malaysia money can divide by 3 or 2.. so I told myself I will not be one of them.. but alas I failed!!! I went shopping for father's day present today and ended up nearly falling into temptation of spending lots of money!!! Why??? Because I started dividing everything by two!!! Bad of me... but at least now I have a small taste of how the orang putihs feel when they come to Malaysia and shop.

There's too much words in my blog now.. I really should endevour to put up more pictures.....

what the HECK??!!!

2006-06-13T12:13:00.000+08:00

What the Heck: Incident #1

I had some problems with my access to my company's portal. So I called help desk to ask why do I have this access problem and they said they'll check and email me. So they did send the email, and this is how the email went:

Dear Mark, Try calling you at the number that you gave me, but was uable to get you. I am uable to reset your password or check the status of your account for you. So could you do me a favour, print screen the error message that appear and send it to asia_group_helpdesk@csc.com. Once we receive it , i will be able to ejaculate the issue out and get the issue solve asap for you. Thank you

WHAT THE HECK!!!! Isn't it suppose to be "escalate" the issue

What the Heck: incident #2

A conversation than happened between me and two other friends. Names have been changed to protect the identity of the stupid:

Me: So Bob, what does your wife work as?

Bob: She’s a doctor

Matt: Wah… good ah.. doctor wife….!!!

Me: So what is she specialize in?

Bob: She specializing now, she’s gonna become a pediatricians..

Matt: What’s that???

Me: Take care of kids lar..??

Matt: OH!! Take care of tits lar… !! So that means your wife breast cancer specialist lar?

WHAT THE HECK??!!! *slam head on wall*

We can be Heroes

2006-06-09T17:30:00.000+08:00

It was a slow day at work again so I got bored and went blog surfing. I came across this blog, it belonged to a girl called Docile. The reason I say it "belonged to" is because she's passed away from cancer late last month. Her whole blog is dedicated to her fight against cancer, her ups and downs, her pain and suffering, the days she just didn't want to get up and the days the was full of life. Even though she was fighting cancer, all that mattered was that she continued to live a normal life. I was moved in tears to see how a 23 year old girl living a normal life in the midst of cancer.

This girl would have been my hero, seeing how she maintained such positiveness in adversity. How many times I complained and ask God why is He taking me on this journey, when I look at Docile's journey and how she still lived the will of God and walk His path it makes me count my blessing that God put me on this path. I wouldn't have imagined if I had to fight cancer now.

Even now, I look at Paul Tan, he's becomeo a hero to many. I am sure when Paul finishes this journey of his, he'll look back and understand why he's become a stronger person. Because he fought the good fight.

Many a times we depict heroes as a superman or a spiderman. But heroes are made from everyday people fighting everyday battles. Each of us can be a hero to someone. Unknowingly, we already are a hero to someone. People's heroes are normal people who fight everyday battles with optimism and courage as their super power. And it's because God's strength is on us that we can face and fight battles with a positive heart.

I like what Docile's younger sister wrote about her on her own blog. She wrote "I did not loose my sister to cancer but I lost her to God. God found her personality and spirit too wonderful hence healed her body and brought her spirit back". God knows when we've battled enough and when to end the battle. Off course, that doesn't mean God take us back in all cases, but we comfort ourselves knowing God knows. During Docile's last few days, she was weak and doctors wanted her in hospital but she just pretended to be look well so wouldn't have to be admitted because she knew that hospital wasn't a place to spend good quality family time. What an amazing girl!! I have to admit that I teared reading some of her entries.

Wallflowers wrote a song called "We can be heroes". How true is that, we all can be heroes, the question is whether we want to or not?

power nap

2006-06-08T22:34:00.000+08:00

As many have already known, when I am dead sleep in the office, I take my power naps in the toilet. I simply put the toilet bowl lit down, sit facing the flush, place the portable pillow I bring along with me on the tank of the flush and put my head to rest. When I am tired I can clock in up to 30 minutes of sleep. So being in a new office, the first few thing I did was check out my new "power nap" place. This time it is not good, there's no tank for me to put my pillow, this is one of those modern flush button in the wall type. But everything else was perfect, air-cond fitted, marble floor and ceramic walls. Well, the flush in the wall wasn't the only set-back, there was no toilet lit. I think this employers have really learnt well from people like me and made the toilet sleep proof. Now my only consolation is that, I won't be here long. I'm only here for a month before I move to Singapore. And I've already scout out the toilet there. It's a more old fashion toilet minus all the fancy marble tiles and all but there a toilet lit and a tank for me to put my pillow. There's no aircond but they compensated it with a window and I am on the 7th floor so that means it's quite windy. Sacrifice on the fanciful and I get back a toilet I can power nap in.

For lessons on how to sleep in toilet bowl, call me.

global delivery, local mentality

2006-06-06T15:14:00.000+08:00

4th day at work and my whole department is away on training, leaving poor old me alone here in a new place alone. I'm suppose to finish a few session of my own training, but only difference is that my training is a webinar (seminar over the web) training. After 3 sessions, I need this theraphy.

Anyway, I'm settling in okay into work, there's a lot to learn and I mean a whole lot. I think if I actually manage to learn my new job role up, i could be the greatest hacker in the world. I also can see that some of my old working habits haven't died yet. Old working habits include updating your blog during office hours (I actually started my blog during office hours because I was sick of work), chatting online, etc etc. What I like best now is that I have my own little cubicle by the corner of the room, so I can sneak in a couple of power naps (another old working habits).

My new work colleagues are great, my senior (she hates to be called my boss) has been nothing but great. She really taken the trouble to get a lot of things ready for me and really helping me to assimilate into the working culture here. I realise that not only have I been reporting to lady bosses all my life, the lady bosses are getting younger and younger. First Isabel Yap was in her 40s, than came Indy who is 5 years older than me and now Even is only 2 years older than me. Next thing I know I'll be reporting to a lady boss same age as me and next thing I know I might end reporting another lady boss Isabel Yap who is 4 years younger than me. I should seriously consider writing a book entitled "Reporting to the Superior Gender by the less superior gender".

On a separate note, I had coffee with Juwita Suwito and Jacklyn Victor last night to finalise their Adelaide schedule and logistic. We were talking half-way, and was like getting serious to talking about the programmes and all of a sudden a malay lady walks to our table and ask "boleh ambik gambar". I was like "WHAT THE HECK!!!" not even a "sorry for interupting" or "maaf, yeah!!", I mean can't you see people are talking serious?? and not talking kok?? got papers on the table and all!!! I know I am sitting with a Malaysian celebrety, but if you die die want to take picture "WAIT LAR!!!". Piss me off only man, piss me off until I want to make curry puff I tell you. Okay lar, I wasn't pissed off lar, just wanted to make it sound dramatic. Yeah I was pissed... but stunt!!! I mean, I love Situ Nurhaliza, but once I saw her minum kopi with her friends, I didn't rush over and interupted "Siti, boleh ambik gamber?", I think her friends would ambik me man...!!!

I still haven't found a place to stay in Singapore.. anybody got any lubang?

and the new chapter unfolds

2006-05-31T23:50:00.000+08:00

I was just ironing my shirt and pants for tomorrow. I could hear my clothes say to me "welcome back to the working world". It seemed like yesterday when I first gave up my career to do 1 year of Bible College, and now I am back starting off again and hoping to get my career back into line again. Everything still seems like a dream. I remember first accepting this job as a "something in the bush" and was hoping and praying for a job in Adelaide. But I did pray for God's will to be done. So today when I met up with my new boss in Singapore when he spoke those two big words "Welcom Onboard!!", reality hit. I am actually going to be an employer Computer Science Corporation, a job I was holding off as much as I could, no matter how much obstacle I put before them, they still "layan" me. There has to be a reason why God still kept this door open after all the amount of "put off" I did. After talking to my boss today, I suddenly felt the absolute peace of God that this is the right path for this season. I've been praying for this peace for a long time and finally I felt it today.

I am now half excited and half anxious. Excited that I am going back to work, going back to a career (I hope!!) and anxious at the same time.. fearing I'll end up like my ex colleague Hobes the don't know anything at all, anxious that my new colleagues won't like me but most of all fearful that I can't perform. I have to say too that my biggest fear is that I don't show a difference after bible school. One of the reason I went to bible college is to to improve me as a person and to let God mold me to what He wants me to be and I just hope all that won't go to waste.

Ironically, I'll be reporting to a lady boss, AGAIN!!! Seems like my whole working life has been reporting to ladies, first there was Isabel Yap, than Indy and now Evenjonly. What is it what I attract lady bosses... if I stayed in YC, my pastor would have been Rose, that would have really been a great.. my whole life being "looked after" by ladies. Now, can you classify that ladies' man or the man's ladies?

So when I open my eyes tomorrow morning, it won't just be a new day for me but a new chapter ready to unfold. Boy am I excited??

it's a new opening

2006-05-30T00:49:00.000+08:00

Two weeks since I've been back here. I guess it is time for an update or else I would loose my readership again.

I actually don't have much to write, so I think I'll just summarize what I did since day 1 (sounds familiar??? some people would know what I am talking about)

Day 1: I woke up brush my teeth and took a bath after I woke up, went to have breakfast in Sun Hin Loong, I think I had wan ton mee for breakfast. than I headed home and watched TV, sleeping in between and had lunch. I had chicken rice for lunch and soya bean water. I watched National Geographic on Astro for the whole afternoon. I watched the programs on the Japanese killing all the whales and dolphins. It was so bad, at the end of the day I learnt how to love animals. I had Tau Ewe Bak and some green veggies for dinner. My mom cooked and cooked for all of us. Than I watched more TV and went to bed.

Day 2: I think someone was trying to stalk me. I sat in this coffee shop and there was this girl that stared at me one kind one.. I was so angry that I went over to give the girl a piece of my mind... than I sang "In Christ Alone" calm my spirit... seeking strength and tranquility....

I can't go on.....I can't remember what else I've done......................... Please don't shoot me... I love animals.

Anyway, jokes aside.. it's been a mix emotional 2 weeks. Though it feels good to be back but I can't deny that I miss Adelaide very much still. Not so much the place but the wonderful people that I left there. So people in Adelaide... I miss you all very much. Thank you so much for all the smses and messages on MSN and sending me emails... you guys really rock and I miss you guys.

Somehow, this trip back is different, guess it's because I know that I am about to begin a new life, a new life in Singapore. But I thank God the one month I am here in KL. In this trip too, it feels as though I am the foreigner in my homeland. I feel so useless in this trip back. I go to YC, I see everyone busy with their duty, I feel so useless not being able to do anything. I miss playing in Paradise everytime I see the YC musos having fun on stage. But there is the good of being home too. Catching up with friends here has been great, able to see Paul Tan is such an inspiration to me, futsal has been great.. great to play ball again (I wish Ben and David was around to play too).

Made a few trips down to Singapore to settle a few stuff before I start work, boy it's tiring making 1 day trips to Singapore. I used to be able to do it without a sweat, guess age is catching up now. Singapore chicks looks great man.... can't wait to go down there and "wash eye" somemore. But either than the chicks, managed to settle my medical check and all. I am now a certified colour blind. I failed the colour test and now am wondering did I pass my medical exam. The only thing I am really worry about now is finding a place to stay in Singapore. I guess, once I find a place to stay I won't be too anxious and stressed out.

Things I am looking forward to in this coming week.

1. Going down to Singapore again.

2. Starting work on Thursday (FINALLY!!!)

3. Playing for 3rd service.

4. Footie after YC this Sunday.

a close of another chapter

2006-05-12T00:50:00.000+08:00

It's drawing nearer and nearer. I never thought I'll come to feel this way about leaving Adelaide. I remember just before I came back this year.. I was so reluctant to want to come back and to a certain extent dreading to come back to Adelaide and even to a point of nearly accepting a job in KL so I didn't have to come back. But since day one I arrived back here. Adelaide has become nothing but like home. I realised that I've finally settled in to Adelaide and saw everything and everyone from a different light. I felt such a strong attachment to Paradise this year, a sense of belonging like how I belonged to YC. I was willing to sacrifice more for the church. I've learnt to accept all the "orang putihs" around, found myself relating to all of them so much better this time round. And just when everything is going smooth sailing... God calls me out of my comfort zone again. 1 full year to make Adelaide a comfort zone, and I am out of the boat "walking on waters" again.. literally walking on waters to another Island, a much smaller Island called Singapore. It's so funny, I make fun of orang putih's so much in the past, God brought me here to Adelaide to be among them and become great friends with them. I make so much fun of the Singaporeans and now God is calling me to Singapore. Now, I just pray that I won't take too long to settle into the lifestyle of the rich and the "kiasu". The materialistic world of Orchard Road and people who see poor Malaysians like me no up. I guess God really has a good sense of humour. I mean how can you be mad at God??

I look back over the year I was in Adelaide and I must say thank you to everybody who have contributed into my life. Adelaide certainly has made me a different man. Even though I don't show it but Adelaide has certain made me into someone I never thought I could be. I will always cherish the memories I've had in Adelaide. I was so touched. Gracie made a huge album for me... she collaged all the memories of Adelaide for me.. I was so blown away by it..the amount of work put to it.. "Thanks Gracie, I'll really treasure it". Thank you to all who wrote on the album book... it means so so much to me even though almost everyone just thanked me for my lameness.. honestly.. I didn't know I was so lame. Well, at least I can be remembered for something. I was really touched to read all the notes. My eyes turned red when I read David's note, it became more red when I read Ben's and finally started to tear with I read what Zie wrote. Thank you boys.. you really made this year in Adelaide ever so much more fun and exciting. I really look forward to coming home everytime!!You boys Rock!!! I'll remember all our escapades that we've had, from titanic, to home videos to breaking into the girl's house and off course the crack on the wall. I guess this year has been good too thanks to the Raj's being here. Unc Mike and aunty Chiew Har has really been here for me. And getting to know the Raj kids has been good lar.

This year has been a year of building closer friendship too. Got even closer with the girls (Sun, Grace and Anne). Thanks for the fun time and sorry for the times we scared you by breaking into the house. It was fun, I have to say

I hate saying goodbyes.. so I want to say I am sorry to those who had to find out second hand, third hand or even forth hand that I am leaving. Guess, I just don't want to announce to the whole world I am leaving because believe or not.. I just don't know how to say goodbyes.. so please don't think I am a stuck up who's just leaving without saying goodbyes.. I guess I am just bad at goodbyes and that's why I avoid it, can't help it.. it's just me. Honestly, my intentions was just to tell key people I was leaving and just quietly make my way to the airport and fly off without anybody knowing.

"chiong hay" as it may sound, but I've come to regard Adelaide as home, off course it can't replace good old Petaling Jaya, but it has become such an integral part of my life. The people, the surroundings, the food... I am going to miss it all. So that's why.. as the day draw closer and closer to my day of departure. Sadness fills me, sad to leave the life I've had here but at the same time, optimism fills me too, excited (or at least trying to be) at what God has installed next for me. It's like going to another level after finishing level one of "Double Dragon". Stepping out in faith is not easy but it is worth it.

So at this time.. I bid farewell to Adelaide in 5 days and say hello to people in KL and say hello to YC once more... before heading off to Kiasu land Singapore. Guess that's the only I'm looking forward to.. going back to family, friends and off course YC, FGA!! Here I come!!

Influencers 06

2006-05-05T00:58:00.000+08:00

Paradise Community Church had Influencers Conference and was it a good conference. It was tiring and really power draining, but it was really all worth the effort and work. Unc. Mike was put in charge of all the drivers for the VIPS and guess who he recruited in to help him out. It was great working with Unc. Mike again on an assignments. Many goblok moments we had, including arriving at the airport late to fetch the Bishop TD Jakes to loosing the car and poor TD Jakes kuncu kuncu had to go roun the whole car park to help Unc Mike look for the car.

Although I didn't get to go in to all except one of the sessions, it was still a good experience. The session that I went into was the last session by TD Jakes and it was a timely message for me. It really spoke to me especially with the things I am going through now. It hit straight on the target and I guess it has given me more focus and optimism.

I guess the main highlight of the conference was being able to take part in the night items. There were different items for each of the 4 nights. I was prividledge to be part of the item called "Bass Off". It's like Stomp except all of us use the bass guitar. When I was first asked to be part of it I was like, are they insane? but it was great fun... I think the most fun was being able to rub shoulders with some of Adelaide best bassist. It was really fun to just jam onstage.

Here are some of the pictures from the "Bass Off" item.

Another highlight of the conference is having friends from KL over. It was great catching up with Daniel Singh, Unc Dennis, Aunty Sue, Jan Faye, Joseph Raj and off course the one and only Tan Hock Seng. It was great lar to see Daniel and Hock Seng doing stupid things in Paradise. I mean who would imagine seeing Hock and Daniel in Paradise together and seeing them making fun of the other VIP delegates.

We went on a round trip round Adelaide. Here are some pictures...

random ramblings

2006-04-05T09:47:00.000+08:00

Paradise church showed us a preview of the New DVD album coming up. They played the first track in the evening service. I have to tell you, it looks quite promising man, what I mean is.. you actually can see me for a good 0.002 seconds and that too, they only played the first track. So if it's 0.002 for the first tracj.. there's a chance it'll be a full 1 second in the whole DVD. Alright!!! road to fame here I come.. hey I mean Sheena started from there too before she diva on this Album. Sheena actually looks South American on this album. No wonder she got put as main singer!!!??? They all think she's Brazillian? Argentinian? Whatever it is.. we all should be proud that a Malaysian is on the album as main singer of an Australian Live Recording Album. Sheena Longoria I mean Sheena Suriya makes us proud.

Lately, I've been noticing that the weather is getting colder than usual. I mean, usually it's this cold only in May and it's only the first week of April now, what's it going to be?? -1 degrees in June and July? Well, at least I can make hot bah kut teh and eat everynight. Oh yeah.. the boys and I are on a mission to make bah kut teh nicer than than Klang's one. So all you Malaysian back home... when we come back, we'll open "the orange boys bah kut teh".

Anyway, this are just some random ramblings just to keep my blog from collecting cobe-webs. I'm also refraining myself from writing controversial stuff too because I don't want people coming up to me and arguing about points I wrote on my blog as if I am a writer/journalist publishing an article on a newspaper. I mean, I really can't understand, this is a blog where an individual can come and write their random ramblings and in the process maybe let people know what they are thinking and maybe in the process entertain people like how Kenny Sia does it, hey this kind is a legend man.. he writes way more controversial stuff than me but do you see people going up to him and arguing saying that "you never reseached before writing?", at the end of the day, people read it... have a laugh, know how the poor individual is thinking and maybe at most leave your comments on the chatterbox.. end of story. I think I should stop here, looks like it's getting controversial again.. don't want to have people coming up and arguiung their points to me again. So back to Kenny Sia.. man.. that guy is inspiration to all bloggers to write man... when I am down and need to be cheered up.. www.kennysia.com is the place.

Our first International Students Night is coming up this Friday. Unc Mike and the rest of us are all excited about it. Finally, something to call our own, a meeting where we can have a sense of ownership to it. I'm so happy that Unc Mike and the family are here. He and aunty Chiew Har has really brought some focus to us lost International Students. Come on all out International Students of Paradise, this is our song to sing.

After posting that Asian Connect flyer in the previous post.. I actually had people asking me if the church actually used that flyer. Well the answer is "OFF COURSE NOT!!!", though I think that flyer would have been very impactful. Anyhow, I handed in another design to the church a more friendly flyer that won't cause people to have blood oozing out from their nose. Anyway, this is the flyer I handed in

growing older.....

2006-04-01T21:27:00.000+08:00

I tell you, it is really a drag to use dial-up. But guess I can't complain as it beats having no internet at all. It's just that I have pictures that I want to pose but I can't because it takes too long to up load pictures on photobucket even though you shrink the pictures to micro-mini size. I tell you, this is because we're signing up with a small time ISP. Whatever it is... ADSL 2!!! I hope the long wait pays off.

I was just reflecting today after one of my LG members said this to me last night during LG "Mark... You are OLD!!!". So I reflected.. how does one know that he is actually getting older... so I concluded with this:

1. You start watching teen babes actress of your time like Jeniffer Love Hewitt taking on married roles in movies and series.

2. You start attending childhood friend's wedding. I've already attended 3 and there's 2 more coming and another invitation just arrived yesterday.

3. You see that conversations that you make in mamak sessions with your childhood buddies from school are only about buying properties and investing in stock markets.

4. You hear your highschool geek of a nerd is engage.

5. You see wedding pictures of school friend's on friendster.

6. Lastly... you tend to have bigger, more major worries in life.. like "WHAT'S MY FUTURE???!!!"

And that's what I am going through now...!!! Major decisions after major decisions to make. And it's all related to Life.. if you make the wrong one... you end up with a sucky life. But than how do you choose? It's either you end up as Lim Goh Tong or Tong Sam Pah.

Sometimes, I ask.. why God did you have to let us make so many decisions? We pray "let Your will be done" but than don't hear anything and your heart also doesn't indicate anything.

I've found myself in the last 4 years.. removed from one comfort zone to another. Right after I am comfortable in one... off I go out again from my comfort zone.

I guess, this is one of the only way God can always teach me to trust fully in Him. Guess God knows me best, guess He knows that when I get too comfortable, I'll forget him. And right now... it's another Journey.. another crucial moment!!! Another Life Changing moment!!!!

my first drawing

2006-03-27T00:11:00.000+08:00

Over here in Adelaide, Unc Mike doesn't have the luxury of having a Scott Wong, Isaac Yap or Jan Faye to help him design flyers and so of all people he turns to me. He asked me to design a programme page thingy for his Asian Connect Fellowship to be included into our church news bulletin.

For about a few hours, I was thinking what to design since I've not done it in eons. And suddenly inspiration struck and here's the final product.

a chance...

2006-03-25T18:45:00.000+08:00

Finally, a chance to make a short update. It really is a drag not to have internet. I just realised how I have taken it for granted. We've applied for our internet like like 3 weeks ago and it's still not here yet... don't know why these ISP take such a long time... and we in Malaysia keep complaining how much TMNet sucks. Comparing TMNet service to here... TMNet is heaven man.

My only chance to check my mails in from the internet in my college which is still using 15 year old technology meaning the line there is even slower than my grandmother walking. And my only other chance is using unc. Mike's computer, but I don't want update infront of him. So now this is my only chance. I am actually doing sound for Unc. Mike's African Connect Ministry and there's a computer here in the production area with a optic cable connection meaning fast internet... so while unc mike speaks, I update...

Anyway.. things are good here... I can't believe that I'll actually say this.. but it is good to be back in Adelaide.. but I still do miss Malaysia. But it is good to be back here and to see friends here. Bible College has been great and to see Sheena here in College is good too. Only thing is that I still haven't quite gotten into the groove of studying so that means a whole lot of catching up to do.

Life is still full of uncertainties... but God has been good. Through uncertainties God has taught me faith and at the end of the day, you do know that God is in control. Unc Mike and family really has been there for me. A real blessing to me to have them here. A real big thank you to them.

My new housemates has been good... they are really fantastic. Ben and David somehow brings new joy to the house... I think Zie and I are bless to have them.

I'll update more...unc mike is finishing his message.

coming to the end

2006-02-13T01:57:00.000+08:00

Today marks the last Sunday I have in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It's been a blast for the last 2 1/2 months. Enjoyed catching up with all my friends.. well almost all, for those I did not catch up with.. I owe you guys. The number one fella I owe is Kevin Raj.. sorry bro.. somehow my time management was bad.. hope to be able to work something out in this week.

This is really sad man, I really am not looking forward to going back, going back to be slaves to those orang putihs again and most of all going back to uncertainties. Guess it's the uncertainties that scares me the most.

Well the countdown really begins... The Rajs are in Adelaide already and in 5 days I'll be joining them. Well, at least there's a family I look forward to seeing there... Guess that's one of the few things I am looking forward to when I go back, able to work with Uncle Mike closely for this year... at least now I got firewall to those orang putihs.

Sense of excitement???

2006-02-01T01:02:00.000+08:00

First of all, Gong Xi Fa Chai to all. It's been a hot hot and boring boring Chinese New Year this year. Just a few occasional going out with friends but generally haven't been doing anything fruitful for the last few days. I have just basically been glued to the TV. I think I made my Astro subscribtion so worth it.

Than came today where I thought I was finally going to do something useful. You see, there's this Open Mic thing going on in No Black Tie this Thursday night and I just mooted the idea to Terry that since he is not going for Delirious, why not he put up a show... to cut the story of our conversation, Terry and I agreed that we'll do the open mic session with Keng Lee and another drummer friend. Terry and I were so excited because finally for both of us... days of doing nothing, we were finally going to do something useful... practice for a gig. I mean hack lar... Terry specially wrote a song for this Thursday night.

So Terry and I, so excited like kids about the gig this Thursday.. and for me, I was really excited because I really wanted to play in a gig before I go back to Adelaide... so beggars can't be choosers, this open mic session is good enough lar.. and what more it's in NBT, can check out the cute upper class chicks there. Who knows.. maybe I can get hooked for the night because of my sensational playing.. so with all these thoughts... we practiced real hard on the same night at Keng's Studio.

Terry's song wasn't simple but had lots of potential, all 3 (Keng, Terry and myself) was really into the practice already.. Keng was in the zone with his ideas already and I was about to put finishing touches to my bassline when "THE CALL" came. The organisers called Keng and told him that NBT got raided 2 days ago and thus the gig this Thursday was cancelled.

I leave it to you all to imagine how we felt after receiving the call.

shheesh.......

2006-01-17T11:51:00.000+08:00

craps.. my digital camera broke down. What time to break down when I don't have the moolah to buy a new one. Anybody wants to buy me one for my birthday or contribute to the Mark Tan New Camera Foundation? I've already shortlisted the I would like to have:

Olympus SP-500 Ultra Zoom

FULL MANUAL AND AUTOMATIC.
Experienced users will love the manual control while beginners can feel comfortable with automatic.

27 SHOOTING MODES.
Adjust the dial on the back of the camera and choose between 27 pre-set options.

ADD A LENS.
Enjoy the freedom to explore different perspectives by adding a conversion lens.

LARGE 2.5" LCD.
You'll enjoy viewing and sharing images during shooting and playback on this large color LCD.

10x OPTICAL ZOOM.
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A New Beginning

2006-01-17T11:10:00.000+08:00

Finally my first post of the year. It's late I know, but thought since it's late may as well make it after my birthday. Want to thank all who wished me in leaders retreat, called me, sms me, etc. Thanks very much.. I really appreciate it.

A brief reflection on 2005, it was really a tough year; not working and having to support myself through 1 year of Bible Colloge. It was also a year that God thought me a lot and it was a break of breaking and remolding. I learned the true meaning of servanthood and humility. I can say I learned but still finding it hard to implement everything I learned. Learning is one thing, but 2005 was also a year that I took one step back in my character, personality and maturity. I know last year was a year that I took a step back in terms of my temper and patience. As my close friends would know that I have a short temper and I have been working on it for the last few years and it was going quite well until last year where I really took a step back. I know I've hurt quite a few people last year through my tongue lashing, through the way I treated people when I was angry by slamming the door at certain people. I just hope that these people will come to forgive as I am really sorry for my actions. I guess the adjustments to staying with people took it's toll and the months when I was cash strap did take its toll too. But that doesn't post as excuse.

It was certainly a year too that I learned a lot on the Bible and my spiritual life was enriched. I just hope that 2006 will be a year that I can put to practice the new Christian values that I have learned

Looking on, I'm a year older now, 27. Actually a year short of my original original target of getting married. I remember when I started work at 21, my I wanted to start dating at 26 and get married by 28. But I guess God has greater plan for me. I guess I still enjoy my singlehood too much to want to be attached. Once attached I'll have to say good bye to my playboy lifestyle which I don't think I am ready to give it up yet. Anyway, in the area of relationship, I have full trust in God and what more.. my parents are not rushing me which is cool. In fact my parents keep telling me that 35 is the best age to get married. Maybe I should make that my new target.

As the day passes by, I am dreading the day I have to go back to Adelaide. It's not because I hate Adelaide and the people there, but it's because KL is home and when you come home you find it hard to leave home. So my friends from Adelaide who's reading this, I don't hate you all but in fact I do miss you all and I am a bit sad that one friend might not be there anymore as that person might not get a place in University. Hope your letter with super good reason goes through. So yeah... I am really going to miss KL even more this time. I guess I learned to appreciate KL even more this time round. Appreciated the traffic jams, the pack pasar malams and shopping malls, the over crowded mamak stalls, the run down and always breaking down public busses, etc and most of all my dearest friends here. I am going to miss one in particular lar. This friend I thought I nearly lost, but it was me that put unnecessary pressure on this friend that I nearly lost this friend. I think you know who you are lar... you've really been there for me and put up with my stupidity since I came back. Really thanks so much for being so understanding.. really will this person lar as well as all my other friends here. Those that I got to catch up with, I really appreciated those times... I will really treasure those times we went out and talked. Hope that I can finish my rounds of catching up up before I ciao. Overall, you friends in KL really rock lar, your friendship is so much sincere. I've already had my crying moments with my parents, and my mom even approve approve of my not following the leading of God to go back and go back to my old job. Maybe I will consider that.............................

I guess the only few things that I am looking forward to going back this time is, The Maharajah are in Adelaide, more YC chikus, being part of a new pioneering work of setting up Paradise's City Service, 2nd year in Bible College with new college mate Sheena and hanging out with the new friends I made last year. I guess at the end of the day it is the people that makes you feel at home in the place and I do thank God for the friends I have in Adelaide.

Looking forward to a new year and hopefully a new beginning.

the chronicles

2005-12-17T08:19:00.001+08:00

It's been a blast coming back to KL and it's been great catching up with all my friends. Finally went to the movies at GSC on Wednesday night to watch the new Disney kiddies show Narnia. Well, it wasn't so kiddies because I actually came out not understanding a whole lot of it.

There's been so much hype about C.S Lewis book and how it's link to the Bible and all. I can understand that the Aslan the Lion represents Jesus and either than that... I don't know what the 4 Kings are and what the prophecy represents.

I seriously have to watch it a second time before I can blog or give my view about it. So anyone wants to "teman" me for second round of Narnia?

and the bonder of his love.......

2005-12-17T08:19:00.000+08:00

It's the Christmas season now and everyone is supposed to feel jolly and happy amidst all the hive and busyness. So that's why I can't understand why I am feeling the way I am feeling. Why am I feeling so down during Christmas?? I feel so unwanted and so insecure suddenly.. why does this feeling linger and spoils the mood. Why is it that I am worse than a girl and feel this way.. Sigh..!!! Must be the lack of sleep that I've been having that's driving my emotions nuts. Guess it's time to catch up on the sleep, but camp is just round the corner... guess I have to rely on good old YC people to cheer me up again which they always do. Thanks so much Youth Church for allowing me to be part of you all for the last few years. I've had a blast with YC, FGA. It's no wonder that I couldn't wait to get back from Adelaide. Working with YC for the Christmas play was such an honour. Thank you.. thank you.

Gee... this post sure sucks.. I don't know the direction of this entry at all.. I had something in mind to write.. but I don't think it suits the Christmas spirit.. so I think I shall wait until my birthday to write it. There's too much bad graphics involved.

Lastly, a blessed Christmas and blessed new year to all.

I'm BACK!!!

2005-12-04T23:11:00.000+08:00

It's great to be back. Loving every moment of it. It's like living in a dream, something so looking forward to for the last 3 months. Only thing is the weather, my mom told me that today was one of the hottest days. It was really challenging for me as the day I left Adelaide it was a nice cool 20 degrees and coming back to 32 degrees with high humidity rate... it was really burning.

It was so good to embrace the YC culture again this morning and I really looking forward to helping out in Christmas now.

home coming

2005-12-01T14:34:00.000+08:00

2 more days to home coming..... I can't wait... !!! Malaysia here I come!!! Char keow teaw... HERE I COME..!!! NASI LEMAK here I COME!!!!! and off course.. YC.. HERE I COME!!!!

I thought I was going to have the chance of travelling with Heng Ian, that guy had to leave two days earlier... anyway.. guess that'll free a chick to seat next to me than..

some random ramblings

2005-11-21T10:22:00.000+08:00

I haven't quite been in the mood for anything lately. Partly because I'm flying home soon and my mind has just been on the plane and Malaysia. Anyway, I thought of leaving an entry before I totally loose all readership to this blog.

It has been a busy couple of weeks. There seems to be something on every weekend. I went on a ministry trip turned mission trip last weekend. The reason I say it is ministry trip turned mission trip was because of the place the church put us up for the night. It was a caravan park next to a beautiful lake. Only problem is that there was tons and tons and much much mosquito. I tell you I have never seen so much mosquito congreagated in a place before. I swear it was like a set of the movie called "The Mosquito". You know how when a mosquito flies next to your ear you hear a buzz... imaging the whole place is just buzzing... you wake up to a whole lot of mosquito buzzing. To make things worse.. there's no freaking hot water in the caravan park. Even the water in the lake was warmer than water in the shower. If not for the mosquito, I would have taken my bath in the lake. It's freaky to see your car covered in a layer on mosquito when you wake up in the morning.

Had our church's live album recording last Sunday. It's the very first time I sang in a choir. Usually I don't even make it pass the audition of any choir. But since this time round the choir is only for show and for visual purposes of the DVD, no wonder they didn't kick me out of the choir. Anyway, singing in the choir was fun... a lot of pretending involve.. like I was sleepy but still had to put up a front. I wonder how does Sheena do it week in and week out on the main mikes or maybe she's actually wide awake and into it. Anyway, back in the choir.. I really wonder why all these stupid ang mors don't take bath. It's freaking summer already and for pete sake take a freaking bath man. The two dudes I stood in between smelled worse than a cow farm. After the recording was finished, I smelled like a cow farm.

Anyway... that's my random ramblings for now... nothing serious and funny for once, just some stupid winching.

the name of the game

2005-10-29T00:59:00.000+08:00

I just learnt a new game during my stay in Adelaide. I understand that this game started from our neighbours Brunei Darul Salam. The name of the game is actually "chor tai tee" but with a twist. This are the stakes. Winner of the game get to draw something on the face of the loser using either mascarra or lipstick. Sounds kind of boring eh? Let me tell you that this is extreme make-over at its best.

Just imagine this, you have nothing to do on a Friday night, so you gather some friends and have a party, a "chor tai tee" party. So here you have your group. All beautiful and handsome people.

And this is what you get after almost 25 rounds of "chor tai tee".

First off you get beautiful china doll:

A drag queen:

Marrylin Manson

A serial killer called It The Clown

And so there you have it, group of models that had just gone through the transformation of their lives.

a weekend of thoughts

2005-10-24T11:56:00.000+08:00

I had a very nice relaxing and eventful weekend. I went to the Eastend Jazz Festival. My first jazz festival outside of Malaysia. What can I say.. Philips Jazz Festival is still much better, but than this is Adelaide, so if I have to compare with a Malaysian Jazz Festival, I'll have to compare it to an Ipoh Jazz Fest. Anyhow, it was still worth going to. The international acts from all over Scandanavia and New York was a flop though but some of the local acts were quite good. I particularly enjoyed this band called FUD. The band leader Leo Auri's first opening remark was "if you enjoy music with no chord progression, this set is for you." I thought, I have to stay for this set. Indeed, their blend of music really blew me away. They play if I can call experimental jazz, mixing electro and advant-garde in jazz. But what really impressed me were the High School Big Bands. You see bunch of 14-17 year olds pulling of music pieces from Charles Mingus, Count Bassie, James Morrison was really impressive. Sounded almost like the big bands themselves. I really wanted to quit playing the bass after seeing 15 year old chicks playing much better than me. Makes me wonder why Malaysian Education system never introduced music classes of this nature.

Only thing I remember from music classes was in primary school was blowing that stupid recorded playing "ba ba black sheep" and "marry had a little lamb". Music in High School was totally extinct. Makes you wonder why when you look at the Malaysian Jazz Scene, you can count the number of musicians with probably 3 pairs of hands. It's really impressive that the school systems here in Australia introduce their kids to music at such an early age and allow them platforms to showcase their skills. In Malaysia, only way to showcase your musical skill is playing in a "pancaragam" band. Arts is certainly lacking in the Malaysian soil, but thank God it has come up a bit in the last 2 years, very much thanks to our late First Lady Kak Endon. I hope what she started will not stop.

I just wonder, if we had those opportunities in school, would I have been a better musician today? Would I at least have known how to read notes. I mean... those kids performing in the Jazz Fest were sight reading and playing note for notes. Even some of the musicians in the Malaysian scene can't read notes

Makes me wonder, if this music corricular was introduced in school.. where would Malaysian music be today? Could we be on par with or maybe at least just slightly behind America, England or on par with Australia, Japan or leaps ahead of our neighbouring Singapore. I wonder, would I have been a better musician if those music corricular were introduced in school. The Music and Arts industry in Malaysia in general needs catching up but I do thank God that in the last two years it has and it's mostly thanks to our beloved late first lady Kak Endon. I just what she started will not die.

Music scene in Adelaide is just behind Kuala Lumpur. But again, like I said.. this is Adelaide.. so if you want to compare I have to compare Adelaide with the likes of Ipoh and Malacca. Kuala Lumpur stands no where near Sydney and Melbourne at the moment. So I pray for the future of the Malaysian Music scene that it will continue to catch up and move ahead.

the nation mourns

2005-10-21T21:14:00.000+08:00

Good bye First Lady, Datin Paduka Seri Endon Mahmood. She's been the true example of a person that cares. Even at her last hour, she asked about people and to take care of the people. As a family, they are the role model, a true example of a close knit family, an example Malaysians need to follow.

I don't why I've been so caught up about the passing away of the First Lady, but I guess, it's because I have been a true admirer of Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi's leadership and administration that you would observe his wife as First Lady. I admit that I had my doubts of her as first lady, but in her two years as First Lady, she has indeed immulated her husband and won the nation over with her caring and "other's first" attitude and character.

The nation really mourns the death of not just a first lady who must show that she cares, but a human being that really sincerely places the needs of others first.

I like the way Datuk Seri Abdullah described his wife, "my #1 supporter" and she described herself as "my husband's #1 supporter". My heart goes out to him for loosing his #1 supporter. I hope one day I'll be as bless as Badawi to have a #1 supporter for myself. But for now, my condolences to Datuk Seri Abdullah and his family. It is indeed tragic to loose a wife and mother.

I sometimes feel selfish for being this way. I always ask God, should I get married one day... can I be the first one to go? I don't I could bare being alone. Even right now, my #1 supporters, my mom and dad... I even ask God, should I get married... can I still go ahead of my parents and wife... that way I never have to suffer the hurt of loosing your loveones. I don't think I'll be strong enough to take it. Hopefully when the day comes..... I will.

the battles of the war

2005-10-11T01:17:00.000+08:00

Over the last few weeks, I've found that my past is catching up with me. Areas where I thought I've put a lot change to is starting resurfacing again. I find shades of my oldself coming back. I saw very evident that I still have a lot of work that I need do. I saw feelings being hurt because of my sharp tongue, I saw insecurity creep in again, I saw myself not flexible, I saw myself without hope, worst of all I saw my faith struggling.

I look at myself, a Bible School student and yet I see this as the most testing time of my life ever. How weird it is when you thought you're in a sanctuary of peace and tranquility, where you have the support and influence of fellow saints to help you through your transformation. It's been quite evident that, I come under attack most when I am at what I thought a save ground.

I look up to God and ask, when will this "war" ever end? and I realised that the war will never end until I've learnt. I have lost counts of battles that I have fought in, I have lost count the number of times I have been wounded in battle, but yet the war still carries on and I hope and pray after each battle that the battle I last fought is a breakthrough to the end of the war.

How I am weaken in the battles and I want to concede the war or have I conceded defeat to the war? The general of the war in me has changed many times, and it each change it has brought renewed hope to the end of the war. But, albeit to the end, the enemies suddenly wins a big battle, the general dies and the war seems closer to defeat again.

I now pray for strenght to continue fighting, I pray for renewed hope and faith that I don't die in the battle for there's a war to be won.

I've been tagged

2005-10-04T11:54:00.000+08:00

Usually I hate doing one of this things, but since I've got nothing to blog about lately either than the fact I'm having a great time here having had my parents over and now Unc Mike and Aunty Chiew Har with David. It's been great.

7 things that scare me

Snakes (even if they are on TV and colouring books)
Spiders
Loosing people that I love
Not knowing what my dreams and destiny are
Committing Suicide
being diagnose with cancer, AIDS..etc
being paralyse

7 random facts about me

I'm colour blind
I'm can't do mental sums
My bedsheet and my pillow case must match
I'm addicted to coke
I'm attracted to girls who smoke
I have a fear for dentist
I pick my nose and eat up the boogle

7 things I hope to do before I die

Marry the love of my life
Be the CEO/MD of a multinational company
Fly an airliner
Go backpacking round the world esp. Europe.
Watch U2 live in concert
Play the drums
Write a song that's worthy to be publish

7 things that I can do

play the bass
cook pasta (balognese, gamberi, alla panna)
crack lame jokes
sleep all day long
cheat in exams without getting caught
go to a cinema by myself
make a constipated face naturally

7 people who should fill this out

Terry
Isaac Yap
SheenB
Gracie
Ern Chee
Raymond Poh
Andrew Lim

the call

2005-09-26T15:49:00.000+08:00

After months of waiting, months of wanting and on the verge of giving up. Finally "The Call" came. There's now renewed hope, renewed joy.... could this be the light at the end of the tunnel??? I sure hope so... even if it isn't, at least God is motivating me not to give up yet.

the rudiments of help

2005-09-25T23:53:00.000+08:00

Just recently, I offered a close friend help and this friend of mine said that she didn't need it. But when someone else offered, she took it and praised him sky high and went round telling everyone how much a wonderful person she is. Don't get me wrong, I'm not in the "looking to be praise" department, I am just wondering why someone close wants to offer you help and you reject it and take up someone elses offer and praise him sky high. Was my wanting to help any less or was I just not someone good enough to help or was it just the simple reason that people are selective of the people they want helping even if it is someone supposedly close?

It got me thinking, that we tend to forget the people around us that cares for us and we choose to turn to people that are outside the "circle" of friends. I realised that I myself have been a victim of this, I've been in trouble, had problems... I struggled and turn to everyone else for help except those that are close around me. I noticed that I tend to run to others and if others don't help, I know I still have the security of those around me at the end. But why take those people close to us for granted? Why not always run to them first, accept their help/favour and not feel bad about it. I mean, why feel bad when they are suppose to be close to you, care about you and love you.

I realised that it hurts to have your help/favour rejected and to have someone outside give that same helped and be praised sky high. I realised that over the years, how much I have hurt those close to me. Wounds like this are hard to heal and I now regret how I've hurt people especially God, my parents and my best friends.

I wish there was a way, I could turn back the clock and undo all the wrong things that I have done. I know I can't, so I guess I have to focus on not hurting the people around me that cares and not soak up in my own self-pity anymore, not complain that no one cares because there is a whole lot of people that care and love me, especially my dearest parents.

Being away from home has made me realised how much my parents mean to me. I've taking them for granted many times when I was in KL and their visit here this time round has opened my eyes to how much I am actually going to miss them when they return home. Sigh... emoness coming... but I mustn't indulge in self-pity when the time comes. God help!!

royal adelaide show

2005-09-12T14:55:00.000+08:00

After such a serious last post, I thought I make this one a more relax entry. Me and a couple of my friends went to the Royal Adelaide show. It wasn't too bad, but compared to the last show I went to, this was quite boring. It was the company that made it fun.

Anyway, I'll let the photos speak.

being justified and sanctified

2005-09-09T23:14:00.000+08:00

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship.” Romans 12:1

Ever since Adam and Eve first committed sin, we now live in a sinful world and are considered sinners by nature. Even a new born baby is a sinner by nature for the Bible tells us that “all have sin and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Therefore most of us hide ourselves from our sin, sheltering away from the guilt that always haunt us for the sin we commit. It is so natural and easy for the human race to fall into the nature, committing the sin of lust, greed, laziness, loath, etc. Even as Christians, there is no escapism from sin.

Many times when we come to realize that these things we do are not pleasing in our master’s eye, we start to build loads of heavy burden on ourselves, burden of guilt because the pass cannot be erase. We cocoon ourselves and shy away from God because how can an immoral mortal being come and worship a holy immortal being. We come to a point where we cannot comprehend how God is able to forgive us? We ask how can a convicted criminal be forgiven for throwing a child off the balcony or how can a convicted serial rapist be forgiven by God for all the trauma he has caused to his victims and their family? We are bondage to sin but God in His way has shown us endless mercies and grace to us the sinful human race by removing all sin and condemnation. God has invited us into His presence by means of giving and surrendering our lives to Him. Being a bondage to God is not chained, whipped slave but rather it is setting us free from the bondage of guilt and condemnation we once lived in. We are free to enjoy of the great benefits that belong to the adopted children of God. In Chapter 8 of Romans, it has been declared that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ. The eighth chapter as we can see, is the triumphant hymn of hope for the human race. We understand what is doing the time for crime, but in Christ, the time has been removed for the crime. When we immerse into God, all transgression of the past are wiped clean.

“Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:1). We are reconciled with God and our debt of sin is paid for in full. Many theologians have stated that justified by faith is justified by the work of Christ alone. The gospel will cease to be the “good news” if it ceases to declare that Christ alone has accomplished our salvation. Therefore, we are justified by the Grace of God (Romans 3:24) through Faith. Romans 3:20 clearly points to that no doubt our own righteousness are not sufficient to save us. God almighty with His unlimited grace and infinite wisdom has created a way of atonement for us. God offered His own son as atonement for all our sins. We are therefore justified freely by His grace. We are set apart from the law that condemns rather justify us. God’s crucifixion on the cross is a symbol of ultimate sacrifice which started since the Old Testament time when they offered sacrificial lambs. All this being done, we have to just come and believe for this righteousness in God requires faith through believing.

God has come to sanctify us and set us apart for His service after having been justified by faith. Sanctification means being made holy or purified. Sanctification is the process by which, according to the will of God, we are made partakers of his holiness; that it is a progressive work; that it is begun in regeneration; and that it is carried on in the hearts of believers by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, the Sealer and Comforter, in the continual use of the appointed means-especially the Word of God, self-examination, self-denial, watchfulness, and prayer. An illustration would be when an abused child, all his or her life growing up in an abusive environment is finally adopted by loving parents, this children will take time to acclimatize themselves to the love, attention and warmth shown in the household. These children have clung on to old habits such as stealing food rather than ask for fear of being beaten up. As Christians, likewise we still hold on to old habits. Sanctification purges us from our sinful ways and make us more in the image of Christ. However, this is no license to continue in our sinful ways have the process of sanctification repeated over and over again. For it says in Romans 6:1-2 “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?” We are to consider ourselves dead to sin and always remember that we have been bought by a price. The problem with Sanctification is that it is a battle because now we have a new body and it is drawn toward sin but by having a new heart and a new spirit with that we now have a stronger spirit that goes against the forces of sin that comes back and haunt us.

We should be grateful for the mercies that He has shown to us for we got something that we don’t deserve from God. We should live a life that is worthy, a lifestyle that is pure and holy, one that was worth all the trouble that God went through for us. When we live a life that is holy and please to God, we want to focus on fostering an even closer relationship with God, ourselves and others. We need to live a life that is transformed by having our minds renewed so that God can further move and reveal to us his good and perfect will.

In ministry, we fall short of how God wants to steer us because of the time we think that we can still carry on in our old ways and continuously have God go through the process of sanctifying us again. By going back to our old ways it’s like “re-cracking” the hole God sealed. God cannot work through a vessel that has holes. We need to change our bad habits, not continue to go on our old ways. In other words, we are to go through a phase of metamorphosis, transform into a new creation, only than will we see our ministry being taken to the next level. It’ll also help us to relate better to people we minister to because when we minister to people, we have to have gone through the transformation ourselves completely before we can lead other to their own metamorphosis. We cannot lead people through that phase unless we have completely gone through that phase ourselves. It is like in the office, I look to my boss for guidance and advice to my promotion in the company. My boss would have gone through the tough times and the routine to get to where he is before he can lead me and the department. Like wise, we have to say a total goodbye to our pass sins and move on ourselves first.

the blessings continues...

2005-08-30T01:11:00.000+08:00

The blessings of God continues to flow. The surburb I stay in had a hard rubbish day, which is a day where household get to throw away big rubbish like beddings, tv, ovens, chairs, etc etc.. So my household of Malaysian guys being the born China man that we are took the car out at 1 in the morning and went scouting through the whole neighbourhood's rubbish.

Us coming back with our loot for the night and some of the other stuff we found

I think this TV is almost as old as me

and us 4 enjoying our new found "gold"

There's the saying... "another man's rubbish is a whole household's gold"

Where I would be?

2005-08-28T08:35:00.000+08:00

Last Friday, my Bible College just celebrated Ps. Greg Johnston, my college principal's 25th year in-service to the church and 10 years to the College. We as the college organised a surprise party for him to celebrate his 25 years on ministry to the church. At the end of the party, all 70 of us students made a semi-circle and had Ps Greg sit in the centre and each of us took turns to go up to him and say words of affirmation to him. Everyone had such wonderful and sincere right from the heart nice things to say to Ps. Greg. To me, Ps. Greg is not ny bible college principal, he's a friend to all of us, a father to us inter-state and overseas students. I remember, only my second month in Bible College, me have not done any song leading or playing the guitar or whatever, decided to include me on a ministry trip with him and had me share the communion message. He had faith in me when all the other students still had doubts and still kept their distance from me. Ps Greg was a sincere man, a man full of integrity, a man filled with humility and a man with a passion to his destiny, which is us students in his college.

I sat back, looking at everyone, having nothing but praises after praises for this man, even people who had just known him for 3 weeks also had good sincere comments for this man and I wondered to myself.. where would I be 25 years from now? would I be in the same position as Ps. Greg where he's touched so many lives and made an impact in the ministries he's been in. I wondered, if there's an example of one man I wanted to follow that still impacted lives after 25 years in ministry, it's Ps Greg Johnston. I hope when I reach that stage in my life, I would have a chance of people sitting me in the middle of a semi circle and say those same things said to Ps Greg. It's not that I am working for fame and pride but I want to work towards being a good man of God where I would have impacted many lives and lived my purpose according to God. I look at myself now, it's a long way to work to being a man like Ps. Greg. Guess I better start getting a crack on things.