Friday, November 30, 2007

Austin is 15!

My little brother, ops, I mean younger brother, has just turned 15! So decided to give him the highlight today!

First, he is still so small size and so KKJ (dun bother to ask what it stands for I will not reveal at all!!)....
And Austin has a unique preference for his clothing combinations - uni-colour... Heres's some example:
Red & red
Blue & blue
Yellow & yellow
He is the one who brings colours to the family, without him at home, the house is so quiet....







Miss him.....

Nb: He is camping somewhere in Singapore when this entry is written... His birthday is on 30th Nov.

It pays to be a little EXTREME. some say EXTRA

Yesterday, I had 2 open-book papers -Ecology and Lifeforms. The former started at 9am while the later at 5pm. And since both modules sort of compliment each other, I decided to bring notes for both modules into either exams.


As such, I prepared a basket full of notes and textbooks to bring into the examination room. It was really heavy with the notes and the distance from my car to the room was quite far. As such, I entered the room panting and the invigilator was extremely shocked that I brought so many stuff into the room! Nevertheless, she had to allow me because afterall, it was an open book examination. It was about 15mins before the start of the paper.

10 mins before the paper began, when I finally managed to recover from 'exhaustion from carrying', I started laying my notes and textbooks for lifeforms, on the HUGE table in front of me, in such a manner that everything were easily reachable. Notes for ecology were placed stacked up on the empty chair beside me. Proud of the arrangements, I sat down and waited for the question and answer paper to be issued, having the idea that the module tested at that time was Lifeforms.

The first thing I received the answer paper was to start writing my number and the relavent informations on the booklet. Being a """CAREFUL""" person, I looked at the module code on the question paper before copying it down on the answer booklet. I was SHOCKED!

The module code, LSM3251, literally flashed in front of my eyes. Lifeforms was supposed to be LSM3261! Oh no! Was there a typo-error? When I looked lower, the module title read: Ecology and environmental processes. I suddenly felt as if I was transported from reality to the dreamland!

I felt as if i was in a suspension. For awhile, I couldn't react at all. All the while, I had the impression that Lifeforms paper was in the morning although the exams details was pasted conspiciously on my wall.

When I finally got back my senses, I scrambled to switch what was on the table with that on the chair, rearranging the newly placed notes on the table. Then, I mentally re-tuned my brain to think ecology instead of Lifeforms, which was orginally in my mind. This last minute tuning was indeed very stressful although I, sort of, managed before the paper began.

The consolation was that I had prepared for both papers the day before instead of leaving the other for the break in between the papers. Phew....

Although I eventually did not even refer to notes from the complemented module, I did not regret spending all the efforts bringing the basket full of notes into the room, which really saved my life... in Life Science Modules examinations...

PS. What a stunter.........

Note: I did not bring the dog into the examination room as well. This picture was taken upon request of Vivien Sng

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Wolfs lurking around ... even in NUS?

Last week, a female friend of mine was with a male acquaintance when she was talking to me over MSN. When she went to the toilet this rude guy took the liberty to use her MSN account.

The following is an abstract of the conversation:

(for privacy purposes, the friend's name will be X and her boyfriend will be Y)

Justin says:hey...where is that Y?

X says:where else

X says:i'm fine. i'm still here.

( some time later)

Justin says:so Y is there alr?

X says:no no Y-fransico here

Justin says:u mean....??

X says:ya he's here la. (probably referring to the acquaintance she talked about earlier)

X says:thanks.

Justin says:u mean Y?

X says:hi this is alex

Justin says:ohh...

X says:who is Y?


Justin says:huh??

Justin says:X!! your bf haven arrived har


X says:she went to the toilet

X says:she has a bf?

Justin says:duh...


X says:u dun have to be so rude

Justin says:who are u in the 1st place


X says:this is alex

Justin says:rude enough to use pple account


X says:she allowed me to use the comp... im using it to check info for my exams

Justin says:not her MSN.... the com only


X says:the window just blinked...im sorry

Justin says:(URL of Y's friendster)

Justin says:whoever you are... pls respect one's privacy


X says:woah this guy looks serious...i like him

Justin says:anyway.. why you even care if X has bf? do you know here in the 1st place??... and dun be a GAY!

X says:i just think he's hot


Justin says:good for you!

X says:so how long has X been seeing this guY?


Justin says:who are you? why should i tell you??

X says:this is alex


Justin says:then why should i tell you... or rather .. why you so kapo?

X says:hey X's back, i'm going to close this window bye


Justin says:sorry...u will not close it you disrepectable swine

X says:huh?

Justin says:who is this

X says:X la

X says:why you call me swine

Justin says:whoever is using your msn...is there someone with you?

X says:wait wait

X says:have you eaten?

(a few seconds later and a few msg about dinner....)

X says:alex just left

X says:he need tp go home for dinner

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~End of abstract~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In this conversation, what made me unhappy was this:
1. Intrude my friend's account (privacy)
2. Keep saying he is Alex, like his name very BIG..
3. And sounded so plastic, eg 'woah this guy looked serious.. I like him)

From my friend's account of him, Alex barely knew her only for 4 days when this happened. He approached while she was waiting for bus around 11pm. The conversation was initiated by tapping on her shoulder from the back and asked her for the time. The conversation continued for awhile. Before they parted, he asked for her contact. Being friendly, she gave him (MSN and hp).

When online, Alex immediately started flirting with her by saying things like: she is hot etc. Over SMS, he literally threw himself at her by always wanting to meet her, while he finally had the chance on that day itself and this conversation occured. In my personal opinion, he acted as if he was his boyfriend already.

This reminds me of the recent drama 'Dear, Dear Son-in-law' which was featured in Channel 8, 9pm (the series has ended now). Anyway, in this drama, there was this character who behaved similar to Alex. The character tried to chase Chili Crab(character's name) by literally throwing himself at her, as if they were attached already. He reached the extend of already calling her 'dear'. Together, he used all the sweet romatic description to her. However, it was later found out that he was a cassinova who places with girl feelings, after having fun with them, he ditched them.

In reality, such people exist! not just in dramas. They can be anywhere, in clubs, shopping complex or even within campus... Who knows that Alex is one of them, afterall his action is so drastic.

So girls, wherever you are beware of wolfs lurking everywhere, even in campus...

Monday, November 26, 2007

Some misconception

interest in nature is different from loving nature,
although the line is thin between both..

Monday, November 19, 2007

Elvis in Airport!

While waiting for my sis in the airport, we saw Elvis..... Here's some pics of him (taken secretly)..








And unknowingly, a video clip of him too!!



And here is Austin trying to be funny....

And at last! she arrived at 1am!


Sunday, November 18, 2007

G1C & G1D Family day

17 Nov was our church's zone family day. And to do something different, we built sand castle! Enough words.. now let the pictures do the talking....



Some of us had to come early to prepare the sand!

And our group decided to build something different...

With a tunnel through...

And our end result....



Friday, November 16, 2007

A tribute to Ecology group 7


The time has come for our ecology group to cease.
After this semester, Manki will return to the west,
and those from other concentrations will leave us too..
Yet the memory of the group will remain vivid in my mind...

Without a word of doubt, group 7 truly stood out among the rest. Over time, we earned the reputation of being the fastest moving and most appropriately dressed group. Arn't we proud of it? haha.

And with the group, we ventured from shores to hills (and the forbidden beyond), where we 'suffered' together in the rough terrains for our experiments. There, our bonds are forged. What was more impressive was that each of us developed our individual niche in the group, specialising in some areas. As such, our group have specialised data collectors, data consolidator and data compute-er, and me, the specialised troublemaker!. Haha, the only dispensible member of the group...



Anyway, we truly make a great team, and this group is indeed one of the best groups which I have been in so far..


Here is some of the individual notable traits of some of the members:


Manki: a magician who usually perform dissappearing acts for ecology lectures

Wen Yan: tend to be invisible most of the time, although she is present all the time. Honestly, I only discovered that she is part of our group during the last practical! haha.

Sitoh: the excel king

Reena: recording central for data

Anna: photo contributer

Eleanor: e-mail question contributor

Sein Lin: 1 of only 3 guys

Denise: Are you a chinese?

Adeline: trait to be confirmed

Eliza: saviour for last practical

Pamela: pro-siva activist.




Last but not least, our dear TA---- Zeehan: for imparting knowledge to us.. Wasted, no photo records about her.. Must be camera shy.. Wait a min.. found a pic of her online from http://www.wildsingapore.com/riablog/people/zeehan.htm (need to acknowledge, haha.. if not infringe copyrights)


Heres are some of our photos taken during the practicals, will miss the days:












Thursday, November 15, 2007

Monster in the sky!

While driving along Benjamin Sheares bridge on tues, I thought I saw a monster in the sky! So I took a photo of it while stuck in a jam....


Monday, November 05, 2007

My dad's new wife!!

My dad just received his new car today... and we, his children are the honorable first few to ride in it!! Some pics below:





Sunday, November 04, 2007

Some happenings over the past 2 weeks

As I was glancing through the pictures which I took over the past few weeks with my new WATERPROOF digital camera, a sudden urge of blogging about my life came back to me again!!! Wow... No more philosophical and 'cheem' entries!!!

So, whats happening over the past 2 weeks? Lets start from the green carnival in NUS. I volunteered to help only 2 hours each day from Monday & Tuesday to TELL INTERESTING STORIES like: there are dolphins in Singapore! Instead, I stayed on for 2.5 Days!!! Wonder what was the force? Could it be the persuasive powers of this lady on the right? I dunno.. hahaha.. Anyway, shes the exhibition manager for that booth.



Next, I would like to intro you this interesting 'Mon-Wed only' friend- Teh si... Opps.. I mean Stacy!!. Lets hope she don't read this.. Anyway, she's camera shy and has been deleting most of her pics from my camera. But some pics has managed to survive the annihilation of her power hands! So here it is.. saved...

Oh ya, forget to mention: She's the 'horse rider' who rides me around occasionally.. Very attention seeking riding in campus- everyone looking at you, but fun.. By the way, she is considered my 'Mon-Wed only' friend because I can only reach her only on these days for the 1st few weeks I know her.. Hmm.. Wonder where was she rotting on other days... (Lets hope she don't read this.. If not, Please visit my funeral!)

Another person who suddenly existed from nowhere EDDA.. I woke up some morning to realise that I have company to sch!!. Not just that, an entertainer!! In the car, sometimes she sings to herself and sometimes play with my camera like a kid, taking alot of pics of herself. Hers one video clip of her.





And more photos... Notice now terrorised I was in one of the pics?

Anyway, went to 2 field trips last week. Zoo on Monday and Lower Pierce reservior on Wedesday. Caught some video clips of my TAs. Aparently, both of them are quite camera-shy.. Heres an example from Jeff.. He is a good TA though..







Oh ya, while in zoo, a group of us lost our TAs during the practical!. Due to time constraints, Jeff had to move quite fast. While we were taking pics, we were left behind!! Can see the lost faces in the pic?

Ok. next. recently, get to know another 'ang moh'.. Haha. Know him through the evolution project. Share 3 similar modules with him- the evo, eco and lifeforms. Quite an interesting person, invited him to build sandcastle with me! Oh ya. his name is Daniel from Britain.. (Sorry Daniel, could only find this pic of you.hahaha. )



Sandcastle? Yes, went to try building sandcastle for 2 consecutive weeks in preparation for a church event. Group of TJC students came to helpus and we managed to build a becent structure.-compared to the week before.



The one above was done last week and below was done this wek. see the difference?


Ok.. shall stop here for now, because finger tired already.. Hope my readers, which is I, me and myself, is updated...

Saturday, November 03, 2007

Do you easily trust someone because he is a christian?

Madam: “Girl, you must not anyhow give your hand-phone number to a stranger”
Vxxxxxx: “It ok ma. He is an adult…. And a christian”

This was the reaction of a girl I met while learning how to build sandcastle today at East Coast beach. Apparently, there is a general perception among the public that Christians are nice people. Or rather, they should be nice. The following is a case study for considerations.

Crusades in Europe during 1095-1291 were initiated in the name of Christendom. Originally, the wars were meant to capture and, in subsequent wars, to recapture the Holy Land, which is the present day Jerusalem. However, instead of respecting the founder of their scared beliefs, the Christians apparently treated the Jews with hostility. For example:
‘On the way to Jerusalem, crusaders vented their wrath on victims close at hand. Jews in Rouen who refused baptism were murdered.’ [1]

One may argue that bloodlust was common during the days of medieval days and that such actions are of ‘no big deal’. However, I would like to introduce the un-expectable case, the Muslims, in fact, treated the Jews humanely during their rein in the Holy Land! Thus, it speaks a lot about our ‘testimony’ as a Christian which we talked about today.

Even in today, Christians are not the best ‘breed’ of people walking on this planet. Instances where Christians and preachers committed major crimes are reported throughout the world. Also, there are cases where Christians abuse the name of their religion to achieve certain objectives. Such actions make Christians today no better than those in the past.

So, is Christian really that heavenly as most people stereotypically expects? No! Christians are human as well! They have the possibility to commit any mistakes as any one else! In fact, being a Christian is not about observing a set of dos and don’t!

In Paul’s writings to the Christian in Galatians, he emphasized that ‘all who rely on observing the law are under a curse’ (Galatians 3:10). Why? You may ask. It is because ‘Christ redeemed [them] from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for [them],…so that by faith [they] might receive the promise of the Spirit.’ (Galatians 3:10, 14) Thus, Christians were ‘no longer under the supervision of the [moral/spiritual] law’ mentioned earlier in the bible.

However, if that is the case, then why must Christians do good? To be a testimony? Surely not!

True Christians learn to do the ‘right thing’ because they have a perspective shift. They learn to do the right thing because of their disassociation to the wrong things because they were made righteous under grace!

Relating back to the opening, it is thus easy for anyone who considers themselves Christians to abuse this GRACE that comes so freely (writer is guilty as well). It is thus easier to misuse the name of Christianity to satisfy one’s own selfish agendas, although doing so might result in undesirable consequences. Limitations in human minds, however, do not allow one to consider the latter before doing so! Therefore, this MAY allow Christians to superficially believe that they will be easily forgiven for their crimes, increasing the likelihood of them committing mistakes morally.

Also, consider this: does one need any credential to call themselves Christian? No of cause! After all the mouth belong to individuals, where they have the rights to say anything they want, even as the ‘king of the world’. Therefore, saying that he/she is a Christian does not necessarily mean that they are one!

On top of that, it has been well established that going to church and doing all the godly things does not make one a Christian. One can never know if he/she is a real Christian except for God Himself. Hence, the only way to discern accurately if another person is a real Christian is when God tells you so (cannot rule out this possibility, since all things are possible in the supernatural realm).

In summary, any strangers who claimed to be a Christian do not necessarily meant that they can be trusted as they may not really be one. If they are, there is also likelihood that he/she may break that ‘credibility as a Christian’…. If there is anyway…..


Reference:
[1] Schmidt, Sager, Carney, Muller, Zanca, Jackson, Mayhill, Burke (2005). Patterns of Religion, Second Edition. Pg 318.

Additional readings:
Jonathan Elukin. Christians and Jews in Medieval Europe: A New Synthesis. Trinity College-Hartford Connecticut, Department of History. Retrieved on 3rd November 2007 from
http://www.trincoll.edu/comm/facresearch/pplelukin.html