Thought i'd give the New Blogger customized layout templates a try; mainly just to have the useful "Labels" widget.

But first I had to select a preset template from the list; for widgets to work. So i chose the one that resembled my previous layout the best. Then I tried to tweak the chosen preset-template to look like my previous one but to no avail. The html that i copied and pasted into Dreamweaver just wouldn't display the design in Dreamweaver. I see only lines >.< Eventually I only edited the simple stuff like some colour and sizes.

Hope this current layout reads well on your screens~
P.S: Anyone knows how to make the Labels-widget html work with the old Blogger template?

Bugle call

The first week's almost gone...
At the start, the Commanding Officer welcomed the troops back to the battlefield.
Amidst the excitement expressed by fellow comrades, I was feeling rather neutral to it all. I just made myself comfortable in my front-row seat. The C.O. conducted the campaign-briefing with an air of confidence; promising a tough, demanding fight to expect ahead.

Eye-balling the gestures of the C.O. and the 2nd-in-Command, I felt an unspoken sense of concern for subtler issues. Nothing to do with blue-force casualties or our unit's depleting war-chest. Perhaps what I felt was the temptation of fear. The fear that makes a soldier rooted to the trench-line; when the realisation of being formed-up for a (suicidal) charge sets in.
I dismissed the thought. There was no turning back now anyway.

What my hardened-spirit needs most and sorely misses is courage.
A boldness which led me to transfer out of the "safety" of my previous posting.
That firm resolution that here, was where, there was much more for me.
Guts; worthy of & fitting for my final tour of duty.

Reality never sets in safely the way you expect. Its whistles from afar, incresingly deafening before shrapnel and energy-waves scatter your battle-formation. It demands you re-group, re-supp and press-on toward your objective.

Perhaps the C.O. wasn't casting a condesending eye like my cynical-side guessed. Perhaps I was being spared the C.O.'s disappointed look-in-the-eye. A consolation for morale's sake. An offer of withdrawal in the knowledge of imminent disaster. Maybe the unit wonders if I am fighting for a lost cause too. I beg to differ.

The enemy's not won. The battle's just begun.
By faith, I prepare to embrace this war; transcending weariness, even mortality.
This war, I surrender only to One.

Brown Rice Special

Here's what I worked with that serves 2persons:

• 1 cup * brown rice
  
• 6 circular slices * pineapple
• 7cm * fat sausage
• 2 * eggs
  

Artistic process:

1. Cook brown rice in pot
   with (+/-) 2 * cups H2O.
   Bring to boil in (+/-)15min and leave to simmer off the stove.
2. Slice sausage and dice pineapple slices. Pre-heat pan or wok.
3. Neglect pineapple slices temporarily.
   Distribute sausage slices on pan and stir-fry evenly till crisp(or
   according to personal preference of done-ness) Remove from pan.
   
4. Scramble eggs in pan.
   Remove and set aside.
5. Scoop brown rice from pot to pan(if large enough) or wok
   Stir fry for a while in medium-heat (not till rice gets dryer/browner)
   Toss in pineapples to the fry; distributing evenly over the rice.
   Continue to stir-fry just long enough for pineapple warm-up to and to mingle amongst rice.
   
6. Add sausage and egg.
   Stir the whole-lot till well-mixed.
7. Serve before guests start fighting over appetizer-scraps.

Some tips to enhance your artistic-experience:

• Have paper-towels or tissue handy at all times; unless you prefer extra "seasoning" in your masterpiece
• Stir-fry with flair by varying your skillet stir-strokes. Broad strokes reveal the chef's confidence whilst short quick ones signify his/her fine attention to detail.
• Wow your guests even more by tossing the whole stir-fry lot in the air with a flick of the pan-handling wrist, simultaneously executing a pirouette, and finally catching the art-work back safely in pan.
• In case of emergency, have the pizza-man's telephone number handy.
  Michelangelo's anyone?
  

On Love

drafted 10Nov'06; completed today:
******
I planned to wake up early yesterday morning because I wanted
to make a fluffly scrambled egg(think Mac's Big Breakfast-type) for me n bro's breakfast.
I call it a Jedi-Fluffy-Egg or J.F.E.

When the alarm went off, there was a gentle stirring in my subconscious.
After about 5mins, I thought I heard my subconscious-self saying, "It's time to go!"
And out of Dreamland I went. And immediately after that I was climbing out of bed
ambling to the kitchen eyes half-open.

Good thing I remembered to use the smaller pan for the egg.
Easier to control, heats up just enough to cook a moist n' fluffly egg over a small flame.

Later I thought to myself, "why is it I can't wake up early to do my own work but I can do so when it's something for someone else"

Love is purposeful.
Love takes initiative.

******

Been thinking about whether this rather personal issue is really affecting me.
It's a problem that's been on the top of my head for quite a while. Literally!
Yep, recent friends, you may not have noticed much.
But long-time loved-ones & ChiChing-bros have spoken about my receding hair-line
and diminishing-scalp. Not so much to the extent of discussing who will donate scalp-tissue n' pool together moolah for my hair-transplants though. :-p

There was a time when I told Jo that I had some hairy issues to deal with.
When I said it was about my falling hair, she queried me innocently about
whether I'd ever shave my head.
I said, "Why not?" I agreed with her that:
When it looks like it's irredeemable, I'll go under the knife.
Not to restore, but to remove it all heh.
She then said, "Recalling the time I saw your Dad at the parade,
I already knew that I had to accept the possibility of you balding.."
Me: *>.<*inner-tear*
Jo: "but..how u feel also matters.."
Me: "I will make a decision before my tub of Gatsby wax runs out."

Love is understanding.
Love is acceptance.
*Jo's probably relieved that I didn't suggest wearing a toupe or wig. Haha >.<

******

"5Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
7 but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to death—
even death on a cross! " Philippians 2:5-8(niv)

Love is giving.
Love humbles itself.
Love is unconditional sacrifice.

13"Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends" John15:13(nkjv)

Resolutions for 2007

Here art thine for the year so far:

1. Develop a personal friendship with Jesus.
2. Develop Courage for Christ!
3. Be on-time, if not, early for lessons & appointments
4. Plan ahead; schedule my time well; including clear & tangible goals in hard-copy
   

Anyone who has read this is liable to be held responsible for helping me keep these resolutions!
*grin* =P

december drifts past

(backdated.again!)
The last month came & went fast.
But in the company of friends and family, my tired being within was refreshed.

Some hits & misses:
Not finding time to do any painting like I had hoped to do so at the start of the holidays! ;<
Jo's birthday which was celebrated with her beloved LibraryGang at VivoCity ^.^
Journal layout for COOS Leaders' Advance - which I am glad abt; considering time & budget :P
(p.s: i seek the understanding of all whose photos have been used there-in without prior seeking of your permission)
Christmas eve chill-out with dear ChiChing Brotherhood at Villa Bali =)
Christmas Day lunch organised by COOS + Charlotte's Web with the Cell. XD

Not forgetting also,
a labour of love; for a lovely union: KW+PK's wedding emblem + invitation card
Misc media included email-invites & giftcards too.
The fruit of the design-process; throughout which the couple had enthusiastically participated in, was quite exhilarating for me to behold. This was the first church-wedding I've ever attended & I feel blessed to have played a supporting role to the newly-wed couple.
I believe the joy of the Lord was filling the spirits of many others who witnessed the holy matrimony on the first morning of the new year.

The only boo-boo was a miscommunication with the printers that resulted in additional printing costs incurred >.<
***
Something funny the groom said as he handed an envelope to me one day,
"Ah, here's the design you did for the event to invite yourself to." *chuckle*
***

X-borg 3rick60

(backdated;drafted sometime ago)
******
at the computer and electronics fair,
the faces of young boys and girls
contrasting those of their accompanying dads and moms

for want of reciprocration
folks pamper and indulge in their brood
giving in to their newest recreational-fancies

alas, some, they find themselves
growing more distant from exclusion-
on-screen displays, keyboards, mice & gamepads reign;
technology and time limiting participation

initial hope turns to sheer frustration
the kid's got no time to hear your cry
you watch little-one glued to a screen's attention
to learn that consoles offer no consolation

how crushing the thought
that I may be one such kid -
overgrown, but ever in want

******

God, only You provide good & perfect gifts!
Still, thanks very much to Papa for the loan.
"With this Dell, i bless thee work well!"

noise annoys

*drafted-earlier; backdated post*
A few months have passed since they cleared the grass-field I enjoyed gazing at from my window.
Despite it being the holiday-season, i find myself feeling irritated; getting annoyed at the on-going construction-work beside my estate.

Lately, just as I can (finally) afford the luxury of sleeping-in a little longer, the booming-sound of piling-works meanly awakens me these mornings. If I were having a dream about war; I'd be frantically startled-into-consciousness by the sound of artillery. I hope I don't fall off my bed after such a nightmare.

Continuing the chugging, grinding & whirring of heavy caterpillar-tracks(like those found on military tanks), massive motors & gigantic machinery complements the pounding staccato of the pile-driver. On good days, the "instruments" drag along dull metallic tunes.. On other days, the "performers" squeak, yawn, clash and clang with one another. One big orchestra that plays from sunrise till sunset.





I've found that the best way to appreciate the pounding-noise is to imagine squid-faced Davy Jones summoning the Kraken through the use of an on-board mechanically-wound percussion-system on board his ship, The Flying Dutchman*. (In the movie Pirates of the Caribbean 2:Dead Man's Chest, the use of that particular instrument generates a sound similar to that of a huge metal beam hitting the earth resulting in a highly-resonant "gong" sound.




God, I pray..
for grace to accept things I cannot change,
strength to change those which I can;
and wisdom to differentiate the two.

november drifts

I get this sense that she might prefer some solitude.
Her well-deserved mugging-break has barely started.
Adding on recent extended-family affairs, I guess it's important that she has quality-time for herself as much as the quality-time she devotes to her family. I pray God will provide relief and heals the pain of loss soon.
I know how it feels to have lost track of oneself in the midst of a busy season; and finding the need to "catch up with oneself"(as fellow cellmate puts it) so essential.

******

Earlier this evening, during a Channel 8 prgramme about home make overs cum celebrity interior-design competition, one of the celebs, Mark Lee mentioned something interesting.
He cited a solution for stinky shoe-cabinets. Roughly translated from Madarin, he said to
"Place a glass of cooked milk inside the cabinet".
"Leave it inside till the milk cools down".
"You can choose to drink the milk if you don't wish to waste it".
With regards to the milk, I suppose what he means by "cooked" is actually means "heated/ warmed". Currently, my shoe cabinet smells like a mix of aged animal-hide and kiwi-polish,
which isn't so much a biohazard. So I'll leave you all to try out that strange remedy for yourselves heh.

******

Last night,
I made my way to Penguin Books Warehouse Sale at Expo after an early dinner.
I knew Penguin to be a big publisher of paperbacks, so I thought I'd
take a chance to see if there was anything worth my time and $avings on.

Somehow, I had this feeling that the sale-items were going to be disorganised
like the MPH-one(also at Expo) months ago. When I got there, I realised that the books seemed more neated placed in cardboard-boxes on long tables spread-out sufficiently enough. As for the genre-arrangement, there was some rough semblance of organisation - travel guides, children's and everything-else sections. -.-" (oh well... it's a first-come-first-serve lelonglelong, so i can't expect things to be nicely arranged like in the national libraries.)
It was surprisingly not as crowded as I had expected. I guess it was probably due to the presence of 3 other food & lifestyle-related exhibitions running simultaneously in the adjacent halls; keeping the majority busy elsewhere.

I felt the prices commensurated with the fairly good physical-condition and selections available. Regular A5-paperbacks were going for $3-$5 or $8 depending on genre.. Hardcovers even better at $8-$10. or $12. I bought a couple of hardcovers to do with branding, and more paperbacks dealing with various issues- world, psychology, middle-east religion. All somewhat serious with the exception of one. Kinda' like a couple's-love-diary/guide. Actually, I think it's serious too, but it's contents are written in a comic manner heh. Haha. :-p

Ok.. more reading to catch up on now!
But not forgetting dissertation-related research & reading too! >.<
@.@ 8000 words, here I come!

Less face, more Grace

I shall have to face it.
It was nothing else but my folly.
I lack the time-management skills every good student needs.
Wait, I think disciple; to execute the time-management skills, is what I lack.
Where did 2.33 years of N.S-training, 13years+ of formal-education and 23years+ of parental-upbringing go to?

I put out the flames of my rebellion now.
I should literally be whipped back into shape.
Like the people of Old Testament,
I should tear my clothes, shave my head, put on sackcloth and ashes, weep and wail as for an only son.

I have not been struck-down unrighteously.
Lord, by Your judgement, I have been be humbled.
I surrender the last six months of college to You.
With Your grace, I shall attempt what seems impossible!

Surrender & Brick Testament

In a state of surrender.
Must come to terms with what's been done & not done.

Dad, I got to be frank.
Why have things unfolded the way they have over the last year?
Why have I not found a sense of belonging where
I thought I'd be free to soar at last.
Are they binds that forbid me from putting my half-baked plan
into the oven of the world?
Or is this the disciplining I must humbly face, before my inequity becomes erased?

God knows,
when I do get to heart of the matter.
God knows,
how I shall be instructed as He sees fit.
I trust Him on that.
But how do I know my plans are fitting into His?
Or I should ask instead, how His plans will unfold in me, or what is required of me?

"...Speak, for Your servant is listening" 1 Samuel 3:10

******

Here's an interesting interpretation of God's Word:
~The Brick Testament~
It's been around for a few years already but to give you readers the benefit of the doubt; and some entertainment, I thought I'd introduce it here (",)
*To respect the creator's copyright-guidelines, I can only post links and thumbnails of The Brick Testament*

"The Teachings of Jesus"
"Following your Own Moral Compass"










I came upon this site whilst researching for my project last semester. I'm impressed by the creativity "Reverend" Brendan P.S. has put into his Lego-version of the Bible. Strangely though, it says in the FAQ-section that he is "not a member of any earthly-ordained church". So far I've read, it is not said whether he is a Christian or not. Still, I believe that God can use anyone for His glory, and someday, the Reverend will stand before His Creator n His Book of Life to account for The Brick Testament.
Hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.
(",)

The Test before the Testimony

Timecheck: About 4 more hours
till I embark on my final mission of this semester.

The assessment is finally here.
And lately, I've been able to get some design-work done(finally).
{Though with some degree of irregularity, owing to unique sleeping habits that
match neither nocturnal nor diurnal species' rest-patterns}

Still have:
Some copywriting-touch-up, compilation of research & finally printing to do before I go
set up my work in the allocated room.

***
Will be praying for you all having exams & such too.
(",)

"Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives.
Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid" - John 14:27

When the music fades

bittersweet
light & heavy
boiled leaves & bergamot
just being human

the sunset i crave
miles and months to pray
my jury exists one
just human being

******

*ticks a line on the page*
*clicks a watch on*
*time for cell*

Overwhelming...
Pent feelings and scary thoughts manifest themselves
when you're at your lowest of moods.
Then you long for the Encourager's hand to cover you,
to comfort and hide you from what lurks in the worldly woods.
But it gets difficult when things aren't as tangible
as your senses can perceive. It is then we must
continue to give-praise in spite of circumstances;
prevail in the face of steepness;
persistantly worship with all our being.

He never rejects a humbled, broken spirit.
We need not dwell too long in brokeness before
His Spirit reminds us of the miracle of salvation we
already received.

Love never fails.
Still, I need to know.
Purpose. Place.
Is this the yoke I should bear?

Lord,
I pray;
reveal Your will,
speak Your mind;
for your servant waits.

Chinkapolean Chweem (part2)

The scene: A small gallery with on-going art exhibition.
The cast: GallerySeater, DJ & Myself + some occassional exhibition viewers

not chronologically accurate; but it doesn't matter here:
***
G: Whoa, my place there, there's this really cute Eurasian girl who takes the bus every morning also. Sometimes, I take the same bus as her.
D: A.... naughty ah you. Never go and talk to her?
G: Aye, don't dare to lah. What can I say to her?
(some cheesy lines follow) Hahahaa..
D: *chuckles* You say, "(insert less cheesy-sounding line)" lah~ Heh heh..
G: You know, there's this thing about Peranakan girls that makes them so Ooh~!
Those I ever met are all very sweet one.
D: Aye, where to find them nowadays...
G: Hey, you sound like you need a girlfriend eh.
D: yea, (in American-accent)ZhangZiYi would be nice. *sigh*
M: Hey guys,
I noticed some of my friends today are attached to Malaysian-borne girls. What do you think about that?
G: Hmm, think they can appreciate a simpler way of life since they didn't grow u in SG?
D: I dunno.. Maybe not as materialistic as local girls?
M: interesting...

******

D: Eh, you know nowadays, those kids start using the word "scene".
Can't stand it man. Can't they just call it "community" like everyone else?
G: It's not only that;
they're listening to heavy metal and wear anarchy tee-shirts. See some of these kids in our school too. But don't know why they can't appreciate punk-rock. I mean, it's like as if they wear anti-establishment on their shirts but don't know what it really means. It's just fashion to them. Shallow sia.
D: How come last time we kids not like that one ah?
G: Think last time life was simple.
You know that day, I was walking downstairs front of my block. There was this group of kids cycling in my direction. They said, "Uncle! Siam, siam!" You know, I wasn't angry man.
D: Except for the "Uncle" bit? haha..
G: *smiling/fist over heart* I was thinking, "Hey, I feel you bro! Alright~Keep it up & you'll live longer!" Man, I was happy to see kids on bicycles for once in such a long time. Kids nowadays don't play outdoors like we used to eh?
M: I remember playing soccer with my primary school friends.
G: Yea, last time when there was Malaysia Cup, all the kids were playing soccer right.
D: Ya, play at the void deck, the basketball courts.
G: I think those days Singapore had more identity. People seemed more united and everyone supported the National Team proudly. Every kid wanted to be like Fandi!
D: Aiyah, sad lah, how we kena kick out.
G: Ya lah, it was only a few of them who kelong what. Only Alistair, Abbas what. Why couldn't we carry on with the rest of the team? Think they were too hard on Sundram also.

*all sigh*

******
(caucasian couple, probably British-descent, enter gallery)
Couple: Excuse me, are you just sitting on the exhibits, or are part of the exhibits?
Us: Er yea, we' re supposed to view and appreciate the other works from this piece.
Couple: (amused) Alright then~ *chuckle*

******

G: Eh now i staring work already. Cannot like last time, anytime also can go for supper with friends. I remember staying out until 3 or 4 with the guys. Sometimes, even up till 6, then go school from there. Haha.
D: Yea boy, supper shiok sia . Now not so often already. Last time always go supper and I got cycle a lot too; so ok. *looks at midriff* Today, aye...
G: I think cos' all my friends Malay one, so we like to hang out a lot. Got that kampung-spirit you know.
M: I used to have more Malay & Indian friends during primary school. We always played soccer together. Nowadays not really in-touch with them though.
G: Oh yea, I notice now more Chinese like to hang-out late also? How come they follow our bad example? Haha..
*all chuckle*

******

G: You still playing with your band?
D: Yea, I am. Still making our music and stuff.
You know, I hate how the media says "local music"; as in "support local music"
It's like some stigma like that. Why can't they just call ours' "music". Just that.
It's music also what! Just let people hear us and let them think what they want.
G: aye, they trying to encourage people to support local productions. but yea, maybe they shouldn't call it "local music" cos' some Singaporeans when they hear "local", they may think it's not as good as some Western group.
D: Yea, what for compare? Singapore-made music is still music what.
G: Well, it's the same thing in Art/Design-scene what. We don't get as recognised as maybe some Ang Moh's work.

M: My art teacher told me before that he feels Singapore's education system is too focused on math and science. I think today's kids have a bit more choices.
D: Yea, at least the government start recognising something.
G: But actually, that was good strategy you know. When Singapore first got kicked out from M'sia, LKY then didn't have much choice but to develop our security and economy first. So since then, we all till today have to do N.S. to defend ourselves. And also, our schools have to teach what will be good for business.
M: Right *sigh*

******

Chinkapolean Chweem (part1)

To me,
it was a tragic stereotypical cynical social commentary
cum reality-tv-drama-serial-cross...

Lurking within my subconscious, the ugly pessimistic views of life surfaced while watching Singapore Dreaming. I found myself being challenged, apalled and scared at the issues that were brought up in the film. pain, heartbreak, angst.

***

Some dark issues that stuck with me:
- overly image-conscious, materialistic nature of some of the characters - a case of misplaced values.
- being the disillusionment/disappointments that dawns upon some of the characters - a case of unrealised aspirations/dreams.
- stereotyped but painfully "real" portraits of average Singaporeans(SGeans) in their vernacular state, so kitsch, so cliched, emotional, in want, noveau-riche*, self-conscious, naive, submissive, whiny.

Still, there were also flashes of idealism, optimism; forward-looking, courageous, tenacious, tolerent, bite-the-bullet spirit that somewhat countered the negative character traits portrayed. We got to have at least some of that make it this far since 1965 don't we?

***

How does a film depicting 1st/2nd generation SGeans produced/directed by a 2nd gen SGeans connect with a 3rd Gen SGean like myself?
It all stems from my childhood years I suppose, where I spent quite a fair bit of time staying with my maternal grandparents. My grandparents raised me and my younger brother in a 3room flat where a few of their own children(my uncles and aunties) were still living in then.

Clothed in my sky and sea blue pre-school uniform & waiting at the living-room 3-seater**, I remember seeing my aunts(who shared a room with double-decker bed inside) and uncles(who shared the other bedroom with Grandpa) getting ready for work at daybreak. They took turns to use the bathroom or toilet. The ladies had a collection of make-up accessories waiting for them at dresser in their room. Grandpa would be doing his morning exercises at the spacious lift lobby area. Grandma would be laying out the breakfast fare on the dining table. (Milo and half-boiled eggs with Jacob's square-crackers were my favourite! Apart from You2 Tiao3{longish deep-fried fritters that comes in pairs})

Amidst the rush of all those hazy hasty mornings, I recall aunties or uncles encouraging me to "do well in school so you can find a better job", or telling me "I never study further than sec4, so now like that. you must do better ok!", "your papa and mummy work so hard, because they got to support you and your brother(and the house) so you must work hard also"
Better... Further...
Had I been a little older to know, I might have guessed that life was meant
to be lived like the Olympics - faster, higher, stronger.

It didn't make much sense to a boy who only loved drawing early then.
Okay, and maybe his tricycle with the sqeaky-horn too, I admit.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*noveau-riche: characteristic of someone who has risen economically or socially but lacks the social skills appropriate for this new position - Answers.com
**living-room 3-seater: This wooden-framed sofa was what Grandma slept on at night during those days.

Kitsch - plead

>.<
Dear readers,
I have to be a little thick skin
& ask this in spite of myself:

*****************************************************************
"Can u spare me a few mins to do this academic-research survey please?"
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=780482581176
It's for my Graphic Design dissertation on the subject of "kitsch"

Visit this page for a simple intro to kitsch~

If you found the survey interesting,
do share it with one or two or your pals/gals~
:-D Thanks very much~!!

*****************************************************************

park bench quiet time

reflecting before a tree,
i opened my eyes to see
the falling frangipani

365 Days Crossed

A back dated post...
17th August 2006
Now that I'm a year-old Christian, I look back and see how things have changed...
It may appear that no significnt changes have occured, but I can attest to the great work
that Christ has done with my inner being.

Not that all my days since were sunny and with glee.
Not that there there were no more heart-breaks and bouts of self-doubt.

******

8Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 10That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:8-10 (NIV)

******
During the times when I was feeling down,
I would be comforted after reading an encouraging verse or two and telling Jesus
my troubles though prayer.

When things were going my way and I was feeling confident about things,
I'd be reminded by verses that spoke of humility and prompt me to give thanks
to my Provider.

And when troubles arose in relationships with people around me,
the Healer has shown Himself to comfort sorrowful hearts and
work even in pre-believers whom I know have been kept in prayer.

I may not have had distinctly supernatural encounters with the Spirit yet,
but so far, the way that events fall into place with impromptu activities fitting nicely into schedules; makes me think of the Planner's thoughtfulness and smile.

Only on one occassion did I feel the Spirit manifest itself in my being...

During the ministry-time of the BMC* I attended back in March, I was praying amidst fellow
BMC brothers and sisters for the Father's touch. And at some point in time, my
arms and chin, which were raised toward the ceiling, started trembling and became warm.
An experience unlike any other that I did not even know what was going on. But it felt as if
a pair of hands was gently embracing my cheeks. Tears and tongues spontaneously followed.

******

"12Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." ----------------------- Philippians 3:12-14 (NIV)

******
Because I wasn't free earlier in the week, a telephone-meeting was arranged tonight between me and a fellow cell-mate. The conversation that followed entailed possible roles that I might have to be prepared to fulfill within the cell. With the eventual departure of several cell-mates who'd also graduated from University recently, I see myself parting with the old-mates and welcoming new ones who are just beginning their varsity life.

New ventures on the stroke of a year? I do feel an uncertainty about my state of preparedness, but cell-mate reassured me that "a heart that is willing to be used by Him will be equipped" and that "God values His children's obedience".

And so now I'm learning to cultivate a submissive spirit - in the context of doing God's work.
And as I see the growing necessity of filling-in those cell-functions, I can only start praying that my limited knowledge of the Word and people-skills will be put to His use; entrusting the ministry to His miracle-able hands. Amen.

******
*BMC : Baptism & Membership Class

How now, brown cow?

Losing sleep as a result of my BAGD* research and proposal making...
I understand very well when you say: "Stimuli like, too much information, seeing too many of something, too much noise" that begets "descending feeling of fear, dread or depression"
( Joles © 2006 with too much, too little... p 14 Aug 2006)

I even wonder if that citation was done in an
academically-appropriate manner; like every other quotation
I've scoured and sieved through LKCRL** for.

(Way)Earlier this morning I was dreading the prospect of
facing the penalty my tutor said she'd impose on those who fail to
submit our personal project-PPI's***, coupled with citations and bibliographies.
"...Shall not receive consultation-sessions from me..."

Deciding to take a power-nap, I lay on the couch in my living room.
T'was pitch dark except the view outside the lone open window:
a dense saturated violet/burgundy glowing faintly at the edge of the horizon.

Just as I lull into the void of unconsciousness,
somewhere in my head fires an instinctive warning that
jolts my senses out of slumber.
Swallowing slowly, I could not help but fear the above-said penalty.

Steadying my breath and thoughts,
I shuttle between wakefulness and the darkness a dozen tries
Even the ambient peaceful hush could not put my mind at rest-the wordless warnings
echo like remnant smoke trails that follow after the surprise mental artillery.
After my fatigued mind numbed itself out, a slab of steak dissolves in my sub-conscious.

How now, brown cow?

_________________________________________

BAGD*Bachelor of Arts; Graphic Design
LKCRL**Lee Kuo Chuan Reference Library, National Library
PPI***Plan, Purpose & Intention