Light of the world

Deletion

2006-12-10T19:43:00.000+08:00

Going to delete this blog in probably a week's time. This is just a notice to inform any of you out there who still visits this place. =P

Really have little time to do any updates (Since I'm serving National Service now). Another day, another time, another place then!

A quote

2006-07-16T02:15:00.000+08:00

I used to love collecting quotes, listed is a quote that an english teacher told me a few years ago (Yes, I'm not that old.)

"He who knows not, and knows not he knows not is a fool. Shun him!
He who knows not, and knows he knows not is weak. Teach him!
He who knows, and knows not he knows is asleep. Wake him!
He who knows, and knows he knows is wise. Follow him!"

Are Rules Meant To Be Broken?

2006-07-12T21:44:00.000+08:00

I was helping out in an event that was organized during the Christmas season in Orchard Road. One of my roles there was simply crowd control and to disallow the usage and carrying of those foam sprays into Civic Plaza on Christmas Day itself.

It was simply chaotic. I felt like I was in a war-zone. With the throngs of people everywhere by about 10pm. (It was so crowded, that if one were walking there, you would be only 30cm away from the person in front of you.) That was chaotic simply because of the foam sprays. Sections of the crowd would suddenly explode into a screaming mass of bodies with people jumping about and the air filled with numerous “hissing” sounds and the thick and sickly smell from the foam sprays. It all seems fun, but if you were standing still in one location, like I was, you would be able to see things as if time stood still and observe many facets and repercussions that that one spraying session would bring about.

I’d seen parents hugging screaming and crying children, frightened from being caught in the cross-fire of one group of people spraying at another group. I wondered at that point of time, whether anyone got hurt or anybody who might be allergic to that spray being sprayed at. Well, the next few days, I was to hear stories from other volunteers like me about people who got hurt and a person who developed rashes all over his body because he/she was allergic to the spray.

Chaos. What fun is there without rules? Sometimes, we find that rules limit us and are no good because they clamp down on our creative freedom and they do not allow us to have fun. But without rules, how are we supposed to have fun without hurting each other? Can I grab someone by the waist in order to take the ball away from someone in soccer? Or can I eat steroids for training?

Without rules (Or laws), we would never be able to walk safely at perhaps 3am in to morning in Singapore. In some of the major cities I’ve been to, it is best to avoid walking home in late nights, in fact, some of the cities look quite scary at night, you would think twice about going out at night at all!

Generally in Singapore, the laws set down by the legislation are good. They are meant to protect us, not restrict us. Crossing the roads at designated pedestrian crossings is meant for safety. I’ve been in too many situations which I have to choose to hit the brakes or hit that guy crossing the road recklessly. I hope that we would seriously reconsider when the next time we want to break a rule or law (Littering, buying pirated stuff, jay walking, parent’s curfew, buying alcohol or cigarettes when you are underage and et cetera.) I’m not saying stop having fun. I’m just trying to say, think carefully about the rules and laws that governs us. If it is good and does protect us, then keep it. If you don’t understand it, like some certain rules that adults and parents gives us, ask them to explain it and try to understand.

Love For All Seasons

2006-02-14T23:01:00.000+08:00

Today is Valentine’s Day, but does everyone know the history behind Valentine’s Day? Perhaps I should do a little story telling here. The story goes that many years ago in Italy, the emperor then decreed that no one is allowed to marry. A priest by the name of Valentino, who lived during that time, chooses to disobey that order and secretly wed couples. When his acts were discovered, he was then executed. Valentine’s Day is meant to be a day to commemorate a dead man.

These days, Valentine’s Day is deemed to be an “auspicious” occasion to ask a loved one out for a romantic date. “And what is wrong with that?” one may ask, well, there is nothing wrong with that. Just that I want to remind whoever that reads this that let not courtship start and end on 14th of February every year. If you truly love someone, courtship should be an ongoing process regardless of day, time, mood and occasion.

How do we know when one truly loves someone? When he/she is willing and ready to lay his/her life for that person. Notice that I used the words “willing” and “ready”. Now you may ask, “What’s the difference?”. Being willing is just like saying it by your mouth only. It is like saying “Yes of course I’m willing to die for you!”, well, I could say that as well! But whether one is ready to do so, is another issue altogether.

As we commemorate Valentine’s Day, let us remember that courtship should be an ongoing process, not a once per annum affair. The quiet moments of everyday life with a loved one, not just an annual bang with your spouse.

Chinese Lunar New Year: A time to Bless

2006-02-02T23:23:00.000+08:00

First, let me wish everyone who reads this a blessed Chinese Lunar New Year, although this greeting is not exactly on the first day of the Lunar New Year. ;)

My parents were sleeping during one of the public holidays of the Chinese New Year (CNY) and I was watching a move on the television when someone called for my attention from the window. I walked over to be greeted by 2 mandarin oranges and a Happy CNY from one of the foreign workers who help clean the block I stay in. He was doing a “CNY visitation”. I know that my parents would just shoo him away, but since they are asleep, I was a little relieved and just told him that my parents are asleep and he just said okay, wished me a Happy CNY and walked away.

Some people would say that that person was taking advantage of this Chinese traditional to try to earn a few dollars. This might be true, but I would want to examine closely the reason behind this Chinese tradition. The concept goes that married couples would give “hong baos” or red packets to unwed singles in order to bless them. This is an age-old practice and has been handled down through many generations.

Going for visitations as an unwed single with mandarin oranges is fast becoming like people going for a free meal at the soup kitchen. (History students, you should know this.) I was once in that stage, collecting the money to spend on my “toys”. Nowadays I receive the money with much gratitude and some slight reluctance but of course gladness. This is because I no longer draw any allowances from my parents and face the prospect of surviving 5 months without income.

As we pass through this period of 15 days of CNY celebrations, please do think about what kind of blessings you can present to the people around you, regardless of your race, age and marital status. For indeed, it is a blessing to be able to bless.

This and the next

2006-01-16T22:03:00.000+08:00

This "Jesus Christ, An Introduction" is a post that is long overdued. I intended to type and post that up during the Christmas period but laziness and tiredness delayed it.

Of course, there are other historical evidences one can divulge into, the calendar is just one that I want to type about. I have a few more blog posts in mind, just need to force myself to churn those ideas into actual posts. ;)

To all who are reading this: Have a blessed new year ahead.

Jesus Christ, An Introduction

2006-01-16T22:00:00.000+08:00

Jesus Christ lived on this very earth about 2000 years ago. He was born a Jew, and lived on this earth for 33 years. He died by crucifixion and on the accounts of many reliable witnesses, was seen alive 3 days after his death. He said that He is the Son of God and that no one is able to go to heaven without Him. He claimed to be God and that there is only ONE real God.

These are His claims and they are outrageous not just in these days, but during the days He lived as well. Studying the context of the Jewish culture in those times, one can deduce that Jesus Christ is either a mad man or really God. This is so because the Jewish people in those times had people who claimed to be God killed. In fact, it is in one of the Jewish laws to have people who claim themselves to be God; to have them stoned to death. (That means people will throw stones at them till they die.)

So was Jesus Christ really a mad man? If so, one have to question: how did the claims of a mad man go on to gather a group of 12 men to stand together and start a fellowship? To start a fellowship that has spanned billions of members till this day and are called Christians?

Some people questioned His existence, well, look no further then Christmas! “So what?!” Well, it matters a lot because our very calendar is orientated around the birth of Jesus Christ. That has to matter a lot now eh? I mean, why keep using a calendar that is based on His birth? If He never existed, then why do people in the past like to use Him as a reference starting point?

Some of you maybe going “This is rubbish. How is the calendar we are using now based on His birth?” Allow me to go through with you 2 simple facts why this is so. The most obvious would be the year. This year is A.D 2006. A.D means Anno Domini which is latin for “In the year of our Lord Jesus Christ”. The method with which we count our years are first based on His birth year!

Another lesser known fact is His birth date. 25th December is not the start of the year, but 1st January is exactly the 8th day after the 25th of December. Now what is the significance? It signifies a lot to a Jew. For on the 8th day of his birth, a Jewish boy would be circumcised, as a mark of His Jewish heritage, a mark of the covenant of God with Abraham. In a sense, a Jewish boy becomes a “true Jew” when he is circumcised on the 8th day of his birth. Jesus Christ was circumcised on the 8th day of His birth, on the 1st of January.

Faced with 2 evidences of the birth of Jesus Christ, I think it is time for people who do not believe that He existed to take another serious consideration.

2000 visitor special!

2005-12-14T23:20:00.000+08:00

The 2000th visitor, tag at my tagboard! I'm going to prepare a prize for you! Let's hope someone else gets the prize. The last 1000th and 1500th visitors were me. =P And I got the prizes instead. So funny...

2000th visitor, remember to tagggg.... ;)

Piracy: Theft or Saving?

2005-12-14T23:17:00.000+08:00

Fact number one: Its against the law. People generally don’t steal and rob, but we forget that piracy is indeed a form of robbing and stealing. We are robbing and stealing somebody’s livelihood here! Somehow, its difficult for us to understand that stealing and robbing doesn’t have to be physical, and that it can be done in abstract terms, acts such as photocopying a whole textbook, buying a pirated VCD or software, these are mental theft and robbery.

It took someone many days, effort and intelligence to create a good software. And he tries to sell it. But selling software is different from selling a handphone. A handphone is a physical object, and hence difficult to manufacture without a design plan or standard protocols. But a software, ah now that is different. A software can be reproduced simply with a few clicks on the mouse, and hence piracy came about because this was easy money! And since most original software are quite expensive and it takes very low cost to reproduce one, piracy bloomed very quickly.

A lot of people would agree that being greedy of money is not healthy, for money is not the most important thing in the world. Actually one of the reasons why so many people would resort to piracy is the fact that they are greedy. Just to save that $20, they would rather buy pirated stuff. Think about it this way, it is because they are greedy to keep that amount money; that is why they are more willing to spend less for something.

I have not bought pirated software or VCDs or DVDs for a long time. I used to do that a lot a few years back, when I was still in secondary school. But I saw that it was illegal and that when we resort to piracy, we are really denying someone his/her livelihood. Not just one person, but the many people who helped created that software or movie!

Stop piracy at its source, simply meant, stop buying pirated. If you think its too expensive, then don’t watch it. Simple as that.

How important is your life?

2005-11-12T21:24:00.000+08:00

I’m a learner driver, but when you drive on the road, you can see many aspects of the Singaporean road users (That includes people who cross the roads, that is a road user or AKA a pedestrian). Sometimes, it is not a good sign.

I do not know but usually when I drive, I would normally have a lesson which I would have to slow down for a jay walker or a reckless driver. Then I would lament to my driving instructor “This person does not value his life is it? I was about to accelerate and he suddenly cross the road!”

How we value our lives (Or the lives of other people around us) can be seen by how we conduct ourselves throughout the day. When I look at the people who drive recklessly or cross the road without due care, it can only mean that they do not value their lives at all, either that or they do no bother to take the time to consider how dangerous the roads can be.

This issue is important because we all use the roads everyday, whether its just crossing the road to your neighbourhood coffeeshop or driving a container truck, we have to use the roads to get to where we want. And traffic rules are set to protect our lives, they are not there to stop us from having fun, but rather, to try to let you live long enough so that you can have fun.

There are many ways in which we conduct ourselves (In our daily routine) that shows how we value our lives. As one of my driving instructor said “Did you see the face of that boy who did not look out for you when you stopped in front of him? He had that heck care look.” Do you care enough for your own life?

Project work

2005-10-18T01:37:00.000+08:00

Dear all,

Sorry for not posting anything for so long! My project work at NTU has started, and its very tiring waking up so early and returning home so late. Managed to type this out at 1am, let's hope that I can wake up later in the morning.

This post has been in my mind for awhile. The idea came about when I was watching this IBM commercial, when she asked the IBM guy for a way to safeguard her Social Security number, her bank account number and etc. And he said "So you want at biometric system to protect your identity?" This begets a question, what is our identity? The 7 numbers and 1 letter given to us at birth? Or something greater than that? This post tries to explore as simply as possible, but if you are confused or not satisfied at the simplicity, feel free to tag your comments and I will explain it to you (If you are confused) or to explain it in greater detail (If you are still not satisfied). Cheers.

What is your identity?

2005-10-18T01:35:00.000+08:00

In the news not so long ago was the case of Identity Card numbers that are being used for all manner of things, such as for lucky draws and recording of visitations to certain places. People have raised the issue that identity card numbers (Or also known as IC numbers) should not be so freely given, as they are very personal to the particular individual. Below, I’m going to show you a very interesting conversation that may occur if I were to as you “Who are you?”

X: “Who are you?”
Me: “I am Terence Seah.”
X: “No, that is your name. Who are you?”
Me: “I’m SIR Terence Seah.” (This is not true)
X: “No, that is your title. Who are you?”
Me: “I’m a BB Officer.”
X: “No, that is what you do. Who are you?”
Me: “I am the top student for my graduate batch of 2006.” (This is not true.)
X: “No, that is what you achieved. Who are you?”

Imagine someone asking you “Who are you?” would you answer in the same way as I gave in the example above? To be technically correct, the question “Who are you?” does not ask for your name, title, job or achievements, rather, it asks for your identity. And our identity can only be found in something that lasts forever, something that is very great in power. Not in a job, title or achievements that will only fade away in the history of time and change.

Now we know that nothing in this world last forever. Neither is there any great power that lasts forever, other than one, God! God is forever and is the Creator of this entire universe, which makes Him the greatest power. So what does that say to you? That the greatest identity is to be called the child of God (Also known as a Christian); or to be called by your own name?

So seriously, who are you?

Say there is a God

2005-09-27T23:20:00.000+08:00

I read this quote from a book. Going to post out something that has recently become so relevent in recent times (If you have been following developments in the Straits Times forum). Its quite funny that I wanted to type about that a few weeks ago and it suddenly become a hot topic now. Hehe, well you guys can continue guessing what is the topic. ;) Anyway, here is the quote.

"Say I believe in God and you don't. If there is no God, we both lose when we die. But if there is a God, you still lose, and I have everything to gain." - Blaise Pascal

I echo the view of Blaise Pascal and dare proclaim that in my death, I have nothing to lose and everything to gain! For those who want to know more about this God, do feel free to tag in my taboard. I'll find someway to contact you. ;)

Oh by the way, Blaise Pascal is a prominent french scientist (More in the field of microbiology I believe) in the 19th century. He came up with the process called pasteurisation, a process that we cannot drink milk without. He was also the one who came up with the term and concept of "asepsis", a very important and fundamental technique in many life sciences field. Hehehe

Exam week!

2005-09-18T23:20:00.000+08:00

Sorry dudes! Forgot to blog about this. Was quite busy over the last month because of various projects deadlines, presentations, reports, tests and now exams. My last ever polytechnic exams (Hopefully my last ones, if I do not fail) will end on the 23rd of September. Until then, I would not be putting up any posts. Enjoy your days without having to come here and read my long boring stories! ;)

The Issue of National Service

2005-08-22T13:47:00.000+08:00

Last Friday, I was on the train home. I heard 2 young men (I’m a young man as well!) talking behind me about ways to “keng” while one is serving the country in National Service (NS). To “keng” is to laze, to do nothing or to do the minimum for something. Then they went on to talk about some other things regarding NS, but I believe that if I were to ask them whether they think NS is a waste of time, they would whole heartedly agree.

To quite a fair majority of people I know, NS seems to be a waste of time in their opinions. Quite true, based on an academic’s point of view, it is a waste of precious 2 years as one might be halfway through completing a degree by then, for me I would have completed a degree (Because of my qualification as a diploma holder, I get exemption overseas). Which begets the question, what is the point of serving time in NS?

Singapore is in a strange situation. We have a small population, and hence it is difficult to support a regular army. Hence, the only viable solution is to have all men serve NS, a citizen’s army, meaning a small regular force and the rest of the population serving as a ready reserve force, all these in order to defend this country.

Now for me, if you were to strip away all the reasons to serve NS (e.g. Extra cash, defend the country and etc.) and strip away all the reasons NOT to serve NS (e.g. Waste of 2 academic years, wastage of 2 working years, mental and physical torture and etc.), I am left with only this thing: I serve because no one else is going to defend the people in this country. It may sound silly or mushy, but think about it, who is going to defend this country? Our Malaysian neighbours? Our Indonesian neighbours? Who is going to defend your loved ones? And without this training, how are you going to do so?

This is a real and practical reason to serve my country in NS using all my strength and mind, because I really love these people I know and do not know, and really want to defend them (Not senselessly attack other countries because of them of course). Another practical reason to serve our country in NS is to seek for the peace and prosperity of Singapore. Think about it, if Singapore is not peaceful and not prosperous, would any Singaporean be in peace and be prosperous? It’s a reciprocal, seek for the peace and prosperity of this land, and if it prospers, so will you. Curse this land, and this land would be cursed along with you.

When it is time to serve my country in this manner, I would go in there with the attitude to learn and prepare myself to defend all the people who live in this land. No matter what “lame” posting I get (e.g. Clerk, store man and etc.), each and every posting should serve its function to better defend this country. Like it or not, I will try to do my best in there, if not for the sake of this country or this “system” but for the sake of these people I love.

Why do we give?

2005-08-07T20:17:00.000+08:00

I believe that I typed out something similar in this blog before, but this is to re-emphasis those points in these recent times.

Why do we give to charities? The whole purpose of giving is that we feel compassion for these people who we see on the television. Pity perhaps, but we must give to bless them, it would be good that we give out of our love for these people. We should not give because the top prize of the condominium would fit in nicely for our search of a new place to stay.

And it is with sadness that I saw in the newspapers the backlash of the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) incident. It was reported that the flag collection of another notable charity, the President’s Star Charity received a lesser than usual collection and the flag collectors were shunned more than usual, a few receiving verbal abuse as the public vent their anger at them.

Yes, be angry and disgusted by the bad stewardship of donors’ money NKF displayed, but does that mean we should stop donating altogether? I do not believe all charities are like NKF. In fact, I hope and believe that the vast majority out there spends their donors’ money carefully.

Ultimately, the people who suffer the most when you do not donate are the people who are already suffering. The poor, the sick, the old, the widowed and the fatherless (orphans) are the ones who ultimately suffer. And the smaller charities will suffer much as well. Usually, the small ones reach out to those who are un-noticed by society, those people who are in need, but we are unaware of. Anyway heard of this place called “The Hiding Place”? Precisely, they will suffer indirectly if you do not donate.

My plea is this, be a sensible and generous donor. Never forget those in need, for as long as we stay in this world, there will always be people who need our help.

My next few posts

2005-08-07T20:15:00.000+08:00

Sorry sorry, very sorry! Was too lazy to blog for the past month and had to prepare and take tests for the last 2 weeks. Resulted in an accummunlation of a few topics I have in mind to type. Anyone wants to be my secretary (For free) and help me to type all of them as I narrate? ;) Hehe, anyway, here is the first one.

The Great Casino Debate (Revisited)

2005-06-20T22:43:00.000+08:00

I wanted to type about Good Friday, but decided to type this instead due to several reasons. Anyway, the next few posts would be about things and events that had passed long ago, things that I wanted to type during the 15th of March and 24th of May interval but never found the will to type.

The issue with setting up an integrated resort (IR) which would include a theme park, a hotel and a casino was such an old issue, that I’m sure many of you would be quite bored of it by now, Well, I want to add a pinch of my opinions in, even if the topic is long passed.

As many of you might have guessed, I am against the idea of setting up a casino in Singapore. I base this on one very simple reason, which is more valuable, billions of dollars in revenue or one family? I read from a report a few months ago that the setting up of a casino would affect the lives of many people, let’s just for the sake of my argument, imagine that only ONE family was affected by the casino.

Often, it would be the family of the gambler that would be most affected by it. Imagine: The father (It always has to be the abusive father eh?) gambled away the family fortune, incurred a huge debt, neglected his young family of 2 children one aged 6 and the other 10 and abused them whenever he has a bad day in the casinos. So that is one family ruined eh? The lives of 2 children scarred and ruined, they will grow up with an emotional scar, bereaved of a father’s love and the bare necessities that money can provide. Versus the billions of dollars that is earned in taxes and the jobs created.

Many people would agree that a human life is priceless. Priceless means: Of inestimable worth; invaluable. Simply put it, not ALL the money in the world can buy it. But yet, our government agreed that it is most “pragmatic” to set up an integrated resort inclusive of a casino, despite knowing the fact that at least ONE family would be adversely affected by it. They argued that the benefits far outweigh the risks and that the money gained can be used to help the families.

Will money ever restore the happiness of a broken family? Can all the psychologists in the world help heal the emotional scar created in the lives of these people that would be affected? But people will argue, saying that more families were saved because of these IR but at the cost of the lives of those that would be destroyed? What honour is there in earning the money that is paid by the lives destroyed by the workplace that you work in? It is like getting paid for working in a concentration camp where innocent people are killed and tortured. Would you like to be paid with that kind of money?

Priceless has another meaning; it can also mean “worthless”. So I leave you 2 questions. Which is worth more? The billions that will be created, or the families that would be destroyed? And how much does a human life mean to you?

Growing Up - A Story

2005-06-14T23:20:00.000+08:00

A friend related a conversation with her sister to us, and it is quite meaningful, though it may be quite lame. Let’s call my friend Y and her sister E.

E: Jie, jie. (Mandarin for “sister”) Guess what I want to be when I grow up.
Y: A comedian?
E: No, guess again!
(After a few guesses)
Y: Okay, what do you want to be?
E: I want to be matured.

At first I felt like knocking my head against the wall when I first heard it (Due to the lameness), but as Y said, actually its something that we should not forget in the midst of all our ambitions and dreams. Yes, to grow up and be matured. Though “mature” is quite a general word, I would like to highlight one aspect of being mature. And that is to constantly look at us and think about our bad “habits” or bad points.

To review our character and personality (Yes there is a difference between character and personality) constantly and to try to change for the better. Things like lying, cheating, bad temper, impatience, discrimination, inconsideration (Like not waiting for people to get off the MRT before going in.), and et cetera. There are so many things to consider!

Though this maybe obvious, but is it something that we do constantly? Or are we waiting for the years of schooling and working to change us? Or are we waiting for our parents, friends or the society to change us? Or worse still, wait for a disaster to happen before we change our bad habits?

To say “I do not have any bad points!” is to lie, for who can truthfully claim that he/she is perfect? My friends let us constantly review ourselves that we may truly strive to be “mature”.

Gratefulness

2005-05-24T19:34:00.000+08:00

As I opened up the packet of duck rice, I saw a roasted duck drumstick in the packet! I was surprised and excited; I have not eaten a roasted duck drumstick in a long time. Then, my mom, who had walked beside me by then, told me that it was for my dad. Awww… Ah well, so I just sat down opposite and opened my own packet, roasted duck slices with roasted pork. Yummy!

Halfway through my meal, my dad walked into the dinning area and sat opposite me. He opened his packet of duck drumstick rice with roasted pork and grunted his displeasure. I wondered what he was grunting about and preceded to ask him “What’s wrong?” He said, “The drumstick is not chopped up.”

The reply stunned me for a while, this thought ran through my mind as I continued eating: “What?! A duck drumstick and you are not satisfied? Give it to me and before you can take your first mouthful of rice, I would have finished it!” I thought further and realized that he is of a generation that a drumstick, be it duck or chicken, is worth a lot and a rare treat to the family when he is young. A drumstick when he is young is probably as rare as a dinner treat to a five star restaurant to us now.

It’s a lesson we can all learn. To be grateful and thankful for what we have with us now, no matter the financial differences each of us may have. We all have a lot of things to be thankful for in this life of ours. For the ability to choose what we want to eat, for the ability to choose what we want to wear, for the ability to choose what movie we want to watch tomorrow and et cetera. (et cetera is the long form for “etc”)

As we grow older I hope that age and more money does not make us forget what we once cherished; the fried nugget that costs $1.00 for 3 when we were in Primary School, or the cup of coke that costs $0.30. Let’s not forget to be thankful for all the things we have now.

Next Few Topics

2005-05-24T19:08:00.000+08:00

This is to remind myself to type out these topics I currently have in mind now.

Gratefulness - My dad and the duck drumstick
What do I want to be when I grow up - A friend and her sister
Good Friday - What is Good Friday?
Science - The proof of God's existence or non-existence?

Remind me too if I did not type out at least one of them in the next few weeks. ;) Thank you.

Doing Good

2005-03-15T22:56:00.000+08:00

Today's post is self-explainatory. One line shall explain it all.

Good deeds must not be done for the sake of a just reward; rather it must be done because you love the person who is receiving your blessings. Good deeds are done to serve others, not yourself.

Oops, sorry, two lines instead. Enjoy. =P

Break Again

2005-02-21T00:10:00.000+08:00

This owner would like to take a one week break from today till next monday for his common tests and his diving trip to Pulau Aur. I thank all of you for reading what I have been writing for the past few months! =D

The Laws of Man

2005-02-08T15:21:00.000+08:00

40 years ago in the United States of America (USA), someone can be sentenced to jail for saying obscene words in public. Now, a lot of movies and music that came from the same country would include at least one type of obscene word. The laws set by man are ever changing, they are not perfect, and they do not encompass everything.

Some laws are bad ideas in the first place. Take for example the 2nd Amendment in the USA, which allows people to keep guns. This is a bad idea. I am sure all of you remember the shootings that occurred in 1999 in a Columbine High School when 12 people were murdered. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbine_High_School_massacre This could have been prevented if gun control was stricter, if it was illegal to own a gun in the first place.

Man are not perfect, the things that we make, the ideas that we have can never be perfect. There will always be a flaw, an error, a mistake somewhere in whatever we do. Nothing involving man is ever perfect. The same goes with our laws.

Here, I would like to show to you a law: Love you neighbour as yourself. Your neighbour would mean everyone on earth, for we all are neighbours of the same planet. How do we apply this law? One simple rule “Do unto others what you want others to do to you.” It means this; if you don’t like people to talk behind your back, then don’t talk bad about people behind their backs. If you don’t like to be punched, then don’t punch others.

If you want people to be patient with you, then be patient with others. If you like to have a second chance whenever you do something wrong, then give people a second chance. It’s a simple equation that is seldom applied and when applied, people find it difficult to maintain.

The world would be a much better place if we do our best to love each other. This law has always been around, but because people love themselves more than they love others, it is seldom applied. My friends, I urge you to obey this ancient yet important law: Love your neighbour as you love yourself.

p.s I'll do my best as well! ;)

Healing

2005-01-17T02:15:00.000+08:00

Two modules I am studying now are about the human immune system and about the action of drugs in our body. Also known as immunology and pharmacology. Big words, big topics, but I would like to share something interesting I found out about the human body.

I realized, when my lecturer was talking about antibiotics, that all medicine does is to kill or stop the growth of the bacteria. And that there is very few medicine that are effective against viruses, and medicine used to treat cancer, can also harm the body as well. The medicine that we take when we are sick CANNOT heal our bodies.

What does heal mean? It means to restore health, to repair. Does antibiotics repair or give us back our health? No, they don’t. Only the body can do the healing. Only the human body can heal itself. What about surgery? What about bandages? Don’t they heal as well? No, these things only ENCOURAGE healing; they do not heal.

The human body is beautiful, the best cure for any disease comes from our own immune system, not from some drugs that scientists make. That is one aspect of beauty of the human body (And of most living things), the ability to heal.

We are blessed so that we can bless

2005-01-03T00:09:00.000+08:00

The tsunami struck south Asia and killed more than a hundred thousand people. I think enough have been said about it, it was a sad tragedy. But have we ever wonder, why is Singapore safe from all these kinds of tragedies? From terrorist attacks to natural disasters to economic crisis, we usually survive quite well. Ever wonder why?

I don’t know the reason why Singapore manages to survive this kind of events quite well. I do not know the reason why we can have 3 full meals a day, a nice and comfortable bed and schooling that can give us quite good jobs in future. But I do think that we should be doing this, to bless because we are blessed.

It is quite heartening to see Singaporeans donating much more these years, be it charity shows or tragedies. Let us keep on this spirit and not forget the poor who is also amongst us. Remember your own wealth, and share some of it.

Christmas

2004-12-25T18:45:00.000+08:00

What is Christmas about? Is it a good time to give each other presents? A time to celebrate friendships by presenting gifts to each other? A time for a “warm-up” party before the New Year Countdown party? Is that what Christmas is about?

If that is the case, we don’t need Christmas at all! For if we want to show our love for each other by giving presents, we can give our friends, relatives and closed ones presents at anytime! Why choose 25th December? And why call it Christmas? Why can’t we call it “Presents Day” or “Giving Day”?

Christmas was the day when Jesus Christ was born. Well, it is not the exact date, but it is around the time of this year that Christ was born. Sadly, this birthday celebration has turned into a great gift exchange, and a great party.

Why celebrate a birthday of a person born almost 2000 years ago? Is there anything important about this person? Jesus Christ was born so that through Him, those who believe in Him shall have eternal life. That was the story of Christ summarized in 1 line: That He came to grant eternal life to those who believe in Him. And I believe.

p.s For more information about my beliefs, feel free to ask!

Luke 2:1-14

1In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3And everyone went to his own town to register.

4So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped Him in cloths and placed Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14“Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests.”

Growing Old

2004-11-30T01:13:00.000+08:00

Have you ever wonder what do you want to do when you grow old? Take care of your grandchildren? Find and enjoy a hobby? If you want to have grandchildren to play with when you are old, that means you would need to get married. And to whom would you marry? When do you want to marry?

How about career wise? What kind of job do you want to do? How much do you want to earn? How much do you want to save? What do you want to achieve in your dream job?

Education; what do you want out of this current education you are going through? Do you want to go for a degree after this? What degree then? Where do you want to get your first degree? Any contingency plans if you cannot get to a local university? All these questions, have we ever venture to think through what do we want in our lives?

Even till now, I know of people who do not know what they want to do in their lives. It’s good to think through, especially at this age of ours, between the ages of 16-20, the late adolescent age, before we become young adults, about what is the whole objective of our lives. Is it to make a lot of money? Is it to have children? Is it to teach and nurture a new generation of all things good? Is it to have a good life? Is it to look for someone to love? Is it to help mankind? Is it to save the environment? Or is it to destroy all things?

All these may sound “chim” but they are important in how we live our lives. If we have a few set objectives, we can orientate our lives around these things and will never get lost as we grow older. Have you ever thought of what do you want to do in life? Have you ever thought through these?

What is the world becoming into?

2004-11-11T01:08:00.000+08:00

I was flipping through the newspaper recently and I was reminded by a comment made by someone about the kind of news that we often see. Have we ever realized that they are often bad news? News of murders, robberies, rape, molests teenage delinquency, accidents and etc. Occasionally, we come across news of wars and disasters of places so far away that we hardly bother ourselves with.

Have you ever wonder, why are there so many bad news? We hardly come across any news of people being awarded something for doing something good, or of some organization going helping out in some charitable event. Is it human nature that there are so many bad things happening all the time? Or is it human nature to always want to look at the bad news?

The murder of Huang Na was a tragedy, but as the US and the new Iraqi military hold siege over the city of Fallujah, which was recently taken by terrorists, I wonder how many innocent boys and girls, children just like Huang Na, are going to die in that conflict. And yet, we seem to be more interested in the news of the new “stars” of the new Chinese drama “The Champion”.

Is this world becoming more and more evil or is it human nature to focus on bad things? Are we also getting more and more blinded in our own “paradise” that we do not bother anymore about the news of the many conflicts outside of Singapore? As of now, Sudan is in a civil war, a war where millions are suffering, children, woman and old people. Do you know about that war in Sudan? ;)

The Value of Beauty

2004-10-19T22:36:00.000+08:00

I was watching a show that was talking about plastic/cosmetic surgery. A married woman had her nose operated on in order to get her “perfect” nose. The operation cost $17,000 Singapore Dollars. Thankfully for her, it was a successful operation. Such operations or procedures are getting more and more popular. Procedures such as the ones that remove acne, wrinkles, saggy skin, fat layers in thighs and etc are getting more and more popular. People go through all these treatments in order to obtain beauty, to be beautiful.

So what is beautiful? A 36-20-36 vital statistics? Or is it a v-shaped upper bodyline with 6 packs? Pimple free face, no wrinkles, big eyes, thin lips (Or some prefer cherry lips), rosy cheeks, long, straight eyelashes and etc? Is this beauty?

Let’s face it. We are all going to grow old and die one day. And in the end, our faces are going to be rotten with maggots crawling all over it (Unless you are cremated.). With the end result of our lives in mind, I ask this question: What is the whole point of spending so much time and money being beautiful when growing old and ugly is inevitable? At the end of the day, we will grow old. No amount of botex in the world can prevent the wrinkles from showing up.

Some people say that beauty gives people confidence. I’ll say that confidence is from within. Face and looks does not have to affect confidence, what is more important is that we look within ourselves and draw our confidence from there. That is a type of confidence that can never be taken away from a shrieking woman who pours strong acid on your face. =P

This world has been warped by what the media thinks is beautiful. We have forgotten that often times, real beauty lies from within: The baeuty of our souls.

Charity: Donation Money or Prize Money?

2004-10-10T23:43:00.000+08:00

Remember those donation cards that we had to fill in when we were younger? Remember Sharity, that pink elephant? Or how about the National Kidney Foundation donation cards we used to fill when we were in primary or secondary schools?

I remembered the prizes they offered then were worth very little. Either that or there wasn’t any prizes at all! Then when secondary school came, the prizes became more and more attractive. So much so there were times when they were giving away free condominiums!

I believe that we have reached a state when people nowadays call in to these hotlines not just to donate, but hopefully to win something. Is that the whole point of being charitable? Charity is giving to somebody in need. I would add a line, giving while expecting NOTHING in return. That is charity, the love of the poor and needy amongst us.

What is the point of charity if people were to call in to have an ulterior motive to win the attractive car? Isn’t it the same as buying a lottery ticket in this case? Before we pick up our telephones to dial the hotline, or take out our wallets to buy the donation ticket, let us be sure that we are calling or buying because we want to bless these people in need. Not because the $15,000 top prize is just what we need to buy a notebook.

It is an insult to the human spirit of giving to receive a prize for donating. Why is that so? Because the money used to buy the prize could have been put in better use, helping the poor instead. I would rather the cash prizes or any other prizes (Brand new car and etc.) be given to the poor. Sell the car and pass the money on! Don’t give it to people who have no need of it!
Let all the money for charity to go in ONE direction, to the poor and the needy. For now, we can work towards this mental attitude, to give from the heart, to give because we want to bless these people. And of course, reject any prizes that come our way. ;)

Marriage: A Contract or a Promise for eternity

2004-09-29T21:48:00.000+08:00

Marriage. A mere contract or a promise that must not be broken? We’ve seen a lot of celebrity marriages fell apart, some of them remarry a few months after their divorce, and some of them remain married for a few days and then later divorce! With such conflicting views of what marriage is about, how do we know what is right and what is wrong?

For this topic, I’m going to use the Biblical context of marriage. “24 For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.” That a man and a woman be as one flesh in marriage. What does it mean to be as one flesh?

They are to be as one flesh. That means one in body, both the husband and the wife. If they were to be as one that would mean that they cannot have major differences between themselves. A simple analogy would be the hands. Can the right hand say “No” to the left hand? Just like a husband and wife, they cannot disagree with each other when faced with difficult challenges.

Can the left hand hide anything from the right hand? For if the left hand tries to hide something in its palm from the right hand, then both of them would not be able to work together in perfect unison since the left hand refuses to open its fingers to help the right hand. Just as it is with the couple. If the husband carries a heavy load and not shares with the wife, how then is the husband to carry such a load? For people appropriately call their spouse their other half! For how can anyone do work efficiently with only one hand or with only one half? One would need the other hand of the other half to help out!

Allow me to share another analogy. Our body, since birth, constantly repairs itself, maintains the optimum physical conditions, checks for problems and do many other things to make sure everything works! When it is attacked by a virus or harmful bacteria, it fights back! The body would sound the alarm, produce more white blood cells to eliminate the threat, and prepares the nose and the throat for a good round of sneezing and coughing respectively!

This is the same in a relationship and a marriage. The couples need to work in order to make it good! Emotionally, both parties must work together to keep the relationship at its optimum! One mistake that a lot of married couples make is that courtship dies at the day of marriage. Well, getting married is not an end to courtship. In fact, I believe that getting married adds a new dimension to courtship. Courtship maintains the relationship, just as the human body seeks to maintain its bodily functions. Couples must also be prepared to fight the deadly viruses and bacteria of a relationship, the emotional diseases. Sexual temptations, an unresolved disagreement, spending more time with work away from spouse and etc. A relationship and more so a marriage is in danger if the couple becomes complacent, the real test of the couple’s love for each other comes when they are tested in times of crisis in their marriage, not in times of peace when they are still courting.

One flesh, not just suggests unity, it also suggests likeness. The couple is to resemble each other. It also suggests a strong love. One body; if the couple were to be of one body, would they want divorce? For divorce would be like cutting the body in half. Do you dare to cut yourself in half, physically?

Registrar's Address

Before you are joined in matrimony, it is my duty to remind you of the solemn and binding character of the vows you are about to make. Marriage according to law is the union of one man and one woman, voluntarily entered into for life, to the exclusion of all others.Do I understand that you __________________ and you ________________ are here of your own free will for the purpose of becoming man and wife?
Couple answer together: Yes

To Bridegroom

Will you, __________________ take this woman ______________ to be your wedded wife, to live together in the legal estate of matrimony? Will you love her, comfort her, honour and keep her in sickness and in health and forsaking all others, be faithful to her, so long as you both shall live?
Answer: I will

To Bride

Will you, _________________ take this man _________________ to be your wedded husband, to live together in the ligal estate of matrimony? Will you love him, comfort him, honour and keep him in sickness and in health and forsaking all others, be faithful to him, so long as you both shall live?
Answer: I will

It is not just any promise. It is a “solemn and binding character” with the couple loving each other, comforting each other, honouring each other, keeping each other in sickness, in health, forsaking all others, faithful to each other “so long as you both live”. As long as they live. Do not make promises you cannot keep. Especially this one.

Co-habitation, Right or wrong?

2004-09-12T05:02:00.000+08:00

I’m back from my tests! =D

Recently, “Get Rea!” a programme from Channel News Asia talked about co-habitation, or simply put it, a couple staying in the same home before they get married. Its quite an “in thing” nowadays for young couples who are thinking of marriage. What do you all think? ;)

Many people would think that co-habitation have a lot of advantages. The only problem is that parents or relatives of the older generation would not allow it. Have anyone wondered why? Will reveal the answer at the end of this post. =P Anyway, back to co-habitation. The common advantages listed down by people are these:

- Get to know your future partner better, see if the lifestyles or personalities are compatible
- Easier transition to marriage
- If staying together does not work out, its easier to break up as the couple do not have to go through a divorce which can become complicated at times

These are the 3 main advantages that couples who decided on co-habitation sees. Sounds like a good deal right? ;) In the show “Get Rea!”, they found statistics that the number of divorce cases for couples who co-habitat before getting married are highly than couples who just get married without co-habitation. Strange isn’t it? It seems that statistically, the advantages of co-habitation are not what they seem.

In the show, Diana Ser asked a sociologist (Or is he a psychologist?) about the higher divorce rates for couples whom co-habitat before marriage. The person replied that the mentality that a couple have during co-habitation, the attitude of “Oh, if things don’t work out, we’ll spilt lor.” gets carried INTO the marriage FROM the co-habitation. So what is so good about co-habitation now? ;) The main reason for co-habitation is to find out compatibility between the couple before they get married. Unfortunately, co-habitation also builds in the mentality of quitting if relationship does not work out.

When this happens, any arguments that the couple encounters during the marriage, they will have a higher chance of divorcing just to “solve” the problem. Trust me, in a marriage, there will be quarrels. Disagreement about the home, whether to have children or not, problem with in-laws, the spouse is not happy just because his/her partner spends a few evenings per week with his/her close friends and etc. Any problem that they encounter, husband lost his job, death of the only son, not enough money to pay for all the bills and etc.

Is this what marriage is all about? Just a simple divorce if things do not work out? Whatever happened to “Till death do us part”? In my next few posts, I shall talk about marriage. Though I may not be in a relationship now, I hope that you (The readers) would bear with me as I divulge into this topic on marriage and relationship.

And oh, the answer as to why most of the older generation would not agree to co-habitation is that they would prefer their children to be virgins when they are married. Yes, its true! If you were to seriously ask them, they would not have any answer for you, but I believe that the underlying issue is the couple’s virginity. Think about it. ;)

Break

2004-08-29T12:25:00.000+08:00

The author of this blog is taking a break for the next 2 weeks for his tests. Of which, he would like to take the 14 days break to rest as well. Thank you.

An Old Woman

2004-08-17T05:50:00.000+08:00

On 26 July 2004, Monday, I was on my way home, as usual from school. As I walked to the overhead bridge along Ang Mo Kio Avenue 5, I saw this old woman carrying a large plastic bag collecting aluminum cans from the trash bin. She walked to the trash bin near the flight of stairs that I went down by. As I walked down the stairs, I saw a can standing on a stair, halfway down. I looked at the can then I looked at the woman, and the first thought that came into my mind was to pick up that can and pass it to the old woman. But it was soon put down as I feared embarrassment, as there were people smoking at the overhead bridge.

As I saw her walk away, I cannot help but feel that I have not done a right thing there. That is what I want to talk about today. What does it mean to be righteous? Many people consider themselves righteous if they do not do any wrong. Is that really correct? Let’s take a look at definitions. Righteous means to be morally upright, without sin or guilt. Without sin or guilt.

Let’s consider this scenario, if a thief were to steal something from a home and you were the only witness to the crime, in which you saw the face of the thief. If you do not report it to the police, are you doing something right or wrong? Of course most people would say it’s wrong, to not report to the police. Now how about comparing it to the situation I went through almost a month ago. Was I right or wrong in what I did? Was I right or wrong in denying that old woman her livelihood?

You know, Singaporeans can be very good rugby players. With our skill in “dodging” flag collectors (Those people who hold tin cans with stickers, collecting for a particular charity). When will we stop doing that and start contributing? Must we wait till we see celebrities do some stunts on television then are we willing to part the money from our wallets? Its time we take another look at this selfish view which had been “inherited” to us and examine whether we are living our lives helping people, or helping ourselves.

Your Convenience or Others'?

2004-08-10T21:00:00.000+08:00

I was on my way home from Jurong West a couple of nights ago, took a train from Boon Lay to Outram and took the North East Line (NEL) to Serangoon, then transfered to bus 147. It was about 10+, close to 11pm. There were 2 double deckers, both 147, seemingly quite full. Thankfully, the second bus was able to squeeze in a few more passagers, myself included. =D We (The passagers) were packed like sardines, well, not as bad as the morning and evening peak periods though.

When the bus stopped at Serangoon Central, alot of the passagers from the upper deck alighted from the bus, more than the number of people who wanted to get on board. Note that at this time, the double doors at the entrance was closed in order to stop people from entering. When all the passagers who wanted to alight to that bus stop had done so, I waited for the passagers standing in the lower deck to move up into the upper deck to make way for people to come in. To my surprise, no one did!

The bus driver just drove on and I stared bewildered at the other passagers in the lower deck at their refusal to move up to the upper deck, thinking in my mind "Hey, these people are trying to go home as well!" This is the same thing that happens all the time at MRT stations, people trying to get on the train without letting the passagers to alight first. I'd been in a situation once when I had to bull doze my way out of a on-rushing crowd. And I am sure many of you have been in this kind of situations as well.

Just think about it, ever consider just letting the passagers alight first? Who is going to gain if you block their way? You? The guy who is trying to get out of the train? Nobody. Such is the inconsideration of human beings these days, that we forgot how to treat each other kindly.

When I alighted from the bus, I looked up at the upper deck and see that its at least one quater empty, enough seats to fill the people standing in the lower deck with somemore to spare. And I wonder, why are those people still standing there? Perhaps they do not know that there are enough seats in the upper deck, but it couldn't be that hard to notice that people just got down from the bus, right? Ah well, as the french saying goes: ce la vie, Such is life! Let's all go one step further and do something for the consideration of people, like letting people board the bus first, or giving your seat to someone who really needs it.