Monday, May 30, 2005

Echo


Pathway
Originally uploaded by mincaye.

This is a 'poem' I dedicate to a man whose name I do not know, whose music I've forgotten, whose presence has left an indelible mark on my soul. Though you have not the vision to read these words, my brother, I know you will, when God makes this world new at his return.

I also dedicate it to Soo Tian (dressed in black in the photo), who drew my attention to the man, whom I would have otherwise passed without much thought.


Echoes in a Pathway

No floodlights filled the hall,
Only dim fluorescent lining a pathway
Drenched in rainwater, and the sweat
Of those hurrying to and from the station.

If not for the ringing of random waves
In the mind of a music-lover,
I might have never known you;
But he did notice, and we paused
In an awkward position, blocking the traffic
At the entrace of the pathway.

No, it wasn't about money, or even your pitiful state.
'Twas the service you rendered
Beyond the call of duty --
No one told you to play
No one hears you play,
For the echoes merely jangle for seconds
In the heads of passersby, never hearts.

Still, you pour out your soul
Into your music;
For music is more than the plucking of strings,
The passage of sound through matter.
Nay, it is when man touches eternity
But for a moment.

The angels sing in heaven,
The angels sing on earth;
And that means music in the slums,
The trash, the alleys where no souls wander
As much as in the concert halls, stadiums
And earplugs of disc-players.

Perhaps you dream of vaporising
With the rain as it hits a heated floor,
To earn that freedom which you so deserve;
Yet you play for a society
That has no place for you.

I once heard that grace is
'A quality of undeserved merit' --
I now think it refers to those times, when
God goes to the poor, blessing them,
While we overconfident bastards
Think we have it made.

So this little community service trip
Was one in which we could not look you in the eye;
But truly, we thank you
For welcoming us into your world,
For your hospitality in those few minutes.

I cannot say that I would like to live there
For there are things even I fear to face;
Yet, given that the alternative is apathy,
Maybe it is better to suffer and live
Than live to suffer.

I think this is what Jesus meant, when he said,
"What profit a man if he loves only those who love him?"
What life is mine, so superficial,
Compared to yours?
For you pour out all you have,
While I merely give of my excess.

You're an unknown celebrity,
Gracing no magazine covers, earning
Only dirty coins and scraps of notes
That people no longer have need for.
But on the walls of heaven,
I think your music plays night and day
For God has this strange way of
Redeeming all glory, especially that which
Man always overlooks.

Our journey is not complete;
In the time when all is made new,
When, in the words of Eliot,
We shall arrive at the beginning and
Know the place for the first time,
Perhaps the music that binds us together
Will step aside for the King to speak.
And the blind will see.
The path will flood.
And the lights will never go dim;
That moment is now, and never.

Sunday, May 29, 2005

Personality Test

Stability results were medium which suggests you are moderately relaxed, calm, secure, and optimistic.

Orderliness results were medium which suggests you are moderately organized, hard working, and reliable while still remaining flexible, efficient, and fun.

Extraversion results were moderately low which suggests you are reclusive, quiet, unassertive, and secretive.

trait snapshot:
changeable, in the middle, suspicious, somewhat traditional, dislikes chaos, down to earth, group oriented, practical


I would say the results were more or less true. I wouldn't be too sure about 'group oriented' and 'practical,' though.

You can take it here. Much patience is required for this one.

Sunday


Sunday
Originally uploaded by mincaye.

This evening, Jason came by to pass me the stuff I'd left behind at NS, along with Tee Ming's letter, which he received on my behalf during the final week there.

I do not know when we will meet again, so I take this opportunity to thank a person who, during the course of NS, truly earned the rare title of 'friend.' It was he through whom God gave me grace and strength in my darkest hours.

Someone mentioned at church today, that the reason why the little we sow to God is returned in larger dividends, is because God has a larger shovel.

So it was with Jason; during the first week, we shared much time reading the Bible and working through faith. Sometime within the first two weeks, he took his first 'official' step in following Christ. But as the weeks that followed would show, I needed him far more than he ever needed me.

(In the photo, he's talking to my Mum, while Jessyca--his girlfriend--looks on from within the car)


On a different note, I found and picked up Brian McLaren's 'The Last Word and the Word After That' from Kinokuniya this afternoon. It should prove to be a most interesting read!

I particularly like the cover, maybe because the sunset reminds me of the twin sunsets of Tatooine, which closes 'Episode III: Revenge of the Sith' with the hope of Vader's redemption through his children.

Saturday, May 28, 2005

I am Yoda

Well, I took this Star Wars personality quiz on Liquid Generation, following a lead on Hwei Ling's blog.

While I cannot fully disagree with the result, I do feel I'm a little more of an Obi-Wan (or maybe it's just because he's also called Ben Kenobi!).



Don't expect me to lift sunken X-Wings out of marshes, though.

By the wind and the waves (Part 2)


Beach 2
Originally uploaded by mincaye.

More photos; clockwise, from top left:

1) After spending the morning at the beach, we went for a noon-time dip in the pool. Compared to the taste of sea water, the pool was BLAND with a capital B! At that moment, Christ's teachings about being the salt of the earth suddenly came to mind.

2) My brother and I 'carved' this in the sand. (Generally, there are three kinds of sand: the powdery sort of the beach, the soft kind further out, and the smooth and firm sand that's only uncovered during low tide) This was done in the soft sand; indeed, He was there. Most assuredly, He was there.

3) Until now, I have no idea what the flags at the resort were for, but these four colours (pink and purple brought the total to six) reminded me of the company flags at NS; Delta (Green), Charlie (Yellow), Alpha (Red) and Bravo (Blue); I was in the Bravo Company.

4) Sun-shot on the way home. A success, I daresay, as the trees lining the road prevented any further clear shots of this nature. Maybe it's just me, but I love taking photos of the sun. I think I have some 10 or so in my collection, each with a different story ;-)


And so that wraps up the weekend adventure. But that's not the end of the story. The greatest lesson I would learn (thus far), came four days after my return (a few hours ago, to be precise). I will blog on it within the next two or three days.

By the wind and the waves (Part 1)


Beach 1
Originally uploaded by mincaye.

OK, now to pick up where I left off in the last post. On Sunday, sometime around 3-something in the afternoon, Dad and Kevin (my brother) came to camp to pick me up. We joined my Mum and sister, Sara at the Swiss Garden Hotel in Kuantan.

Basically, we spent the evening and the next morning by the sea, and these are some of the photos I took (some of them deliberate, in order to illustrate some points).

Clockwise, from top left:

1) A timed shot of myself walking towards the sun, early Sunday morning. One of my best 'sun-shots' to date.

2) Being partially engulfed by the waves. The deeper waves are better to swim in, but they get stronger as they approach the shore, so this was taken in shallow water. Besides, the zoom wouldn't have worked as well had I gone too far out.

3) Not a natural shot; I don't do push-ups on the beach! I deliberately did it to sort of link the two worlds of NS and this so-called 'new beginning' after NS. Even though I prepare to enter into a new phase in life, I carry with me the lessons, scars and joys of that which came before.

4) This one is particularly meaningful. I remember a story Max Lucado related in one of his books, about how children build sandcastles, and later leave them to the waves. The joy of building them is to return them to their 'owner' in the end; yet how often do we 'grown-ups' enjoy blessings for what they are, and not something we must possess forever? When did this world become 'ours' and not God's?

Friday, May 27, 2005

The Final Days


NS
Originally uploaded by mincaye.

So, where have I been these last few days? Asleep. Yes, day after day, I have never failed to fall asleep before I even attempt to touch to computer. So I'm typing this at 6:05 a.m. on Friday, to avoid any possible mishaps tonight ;-)

I'd originally intended to blog this on Monday or Tuesday, upon returning from that long weekend. As I had mentioned earlier, the plan was to stay in camp until tomorrow. However, that was not to be, as my name was removed from the list of trainees.

When I left camp, I'd specified that I wanted to return for the final week. Unknown to me, the maximum duration of a 'holiday' was three days; mine spanned ten. So the administration decided to release me from service, along with the others given exemption for Form 6.

By the commandant's grace, I was allowed to stay overnight, before joining my family in Kuantan the next day. These photos are among the last ever that I took of Pinggiran Pelangi Camp, Muadzam Shah, Pahang.

Clockwise from top left:

1) Saturday night, my friend Priya (SMK Desa Perdana) received news that her 40-year-old uncle had passed away in the evening. Another friend, Soo Zien (St Mary's), was reading this Sidney Sheldon book at that time. The title? 'Nothing Lasts Forever.'

2) Night roll call. My camp has lots of these, about five in a day; this is the first (and last) time I'd observe a roll call outside the line itself. As I watch the 'soldiers' stand at attention, I wonder if we put that kind of spirit into our service in God's army...

3) The morning sun. Whether by design or coincidence (more likely the latter), the entrance to the dining hall faces east, at an angle that allows the sun to pour in beautifully every morning.

4) Sitting by the man-made lake in the afternoon; several metres away from the spot Tee Ming and I shared when she visited; the lake was rather dried-up then, but has since been steadily filling up again.


I must get ready for school now; will continue the 'Weekend Adventure' blog (i.e. by the beach) tonight.

Monday, May 23, 2005

Staring at the Sun


sunrise
Originally uploaded by mincaye.

I have found this an interesting exercise lately.

And no, I still don't really understand what Bono's trying to say in this hit song from the album 'Pop.'


Staring at the Sun

Summer stretching on the grass
Summer dresses pass
In the shade of a willow tree
Creeps a crawling over me

Over me and over you
Stuck together with God's glue
It's going to get stickier too
It's been a long hot summer
Let's get under cover
Don't try too hard to think
Don't think at all

I'm not the only one
Staring at the sun
Afraid of what you'd find
If you took a look inside

I'm not just deaf and dumb
Staring at the sun
Not the only one
Who's happy to go blind

There's an insect in your ear
If you scratch it won't disappear
It's going to itch and burn and sting
You want to see what the scratching brings

Waves that leave me out of reach
Breaking on your back like a beach
Will we ever live in peace
'Cause those that can't do
Often have to
And those that can't do
Often have to preach

To the ones
Staring at the sun
Afraid of what you'll find
If you took a look inside

Not just deaf and dumb
Staring at the sun
I'm not the only one
Who'd rather go blind

Intransigence is all around
Military still in town
Armour plated suits and ties
Daddy just won't say goodbye

Referee won't blow the whistle
God is good but will He listen
I'm nearly great
But there's something missing
I left it in the duty free
But you never really belonged to me

You're not the only one
Staring at the sun
Afraid of what you'd find
If you stepped back inside

I'm not sucking on my thumb
I'm staring at the sun
Not the only one
Who's happy to go blind

Kite


kite
Originally uploaded by mincaye.

The kites I saw flying along this stretch of the Kuantan beach, reminded me of the U2 song of the same name.


Kite

Something is about to give
I can feel it coming
I think I know what it means
I'm not afraid to die
I'm not afraid to live
And when I'm flat on my back
I hope to feel like I did

'cause hardness, it sets in
You need some protection
The thinner the skin

I want you to know
That you don't need me anymore
I want you to know
You don't need anyone, or anything at all

Who's to say where the wind will take you
Who's to say what it is will break you
I don't know, which way the wind will blow
Who's to know when the time has come around
Don't want to see you cry
I know that this is not goodbye

In summer I can taste the salt in the sea
There's a kite blowing out of control on a breeze
I wonder what's gonna happen to you
You wonder what has happened to me

I'm a man, I'm not a child
A man who sees
The shadow behind your eyes

Who's to say where the wind will take you
Who's to say what it is will break you
I don't know, where the wind will blow
Who's to know when the time has come around
I don't want to see you cry
I know that this is not goodbye

Did I waste it?
Not so much I couldn't taste it
Life should be fragrant
Roof top to the basement
The last of the rocks stars
When hip-hop drove the big cars
In the time when new media
Was the big idea
What was the big idea

Saturday, May 21, 2005

Last shot


Pumpkin
Originally uploaded by mincaye.

This was taken yesterday; the pumpkin (or whatever it was!) was made with bacon into chowder for dinner.

It's the most recent shot taken with the digicam, which will be put to good use over the next seven days or so at camp.

Within an hour, I will be on my way back to Pinggiran Pelangi Camp, Muadzam Shah, Pahang.

Here's a sneak preview of some stuff I'll blog about once I return, as I was unable to do so yesterday:

A review of Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith.

Some reflections on the Economics of the Kingdom of God (those familiar with the ideas of Dallas Willard may have a rough idea of what I'm going to write).

Au revoir!

Thoughts on Beliefnet Quiz Results

I'm currently taking several quizzes on Beliefnet.

1. What kind of Christian are you?

I scored as a literalist. But looking at the others, I think I'm more of a left-leaning traditionalist.

On the whole, I actually found this particular quiz rooted in the rift between conservatives and liberals, and the questions and answers were obviously tailored to fit these categories. There were hardly any answers that lean towards the emergent.

For instance, I take a lot of the Bible literally, like Jesus walking on water and healing the sick. But it's not because I 'blindly believe,' nor is it because such episodes have been 'proven by science/history.' I take the Willard stance, i.e. "If Jesus is God, what's stopping him from doing it?"


2. What is your spiritual type?

I'm a confident believer, having little or no doubt that I've found the right path. My score, however, is on the border of questioning believer as well, and I actually landed the latter when I first took this quiz a day or two ago.

On the whole, I agree with the result of this quiz.


3. What is your faith type?

1. Orthodox Quaker (100%)
2. Mainline to Liberal Christian Protestants (87%)
3. Mainline to Conservative Christian/Protestant (78%)
4. Seventh Day Adventist (78%)
5. Liberal Quakers (73%)
6. Bahá'í Faith (71%)
7. Eastern Orthodox (68%)
8. Roman Catholic (68%)
9. Unitarian Universalism (64%)
10. Reform Judaism (61%)
11. Orthodox Judaism (59%)
12. Sikhism (58%)
13. Islam (53%)
14. Jainism (53%)
15. Hinduism (50%)
16. Mahayana Buddhism (50%)
17. Theravada Buddhism (50%)
18. Neo-Pagan (45%)
19. New Age (44%)
20. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) (42%)
21. Christian Science (Church of Christ, Scientist) (39%)
22. Taoism (35%)
23. Secular Humanism (34%)
24. Scientology (33%)
25. Jehovah's Witness (28%)
26. New Thought (28%)
27. Nontheist (21%)

Well, considering the fact that Richard Foster is a Quaker, I certainly cannot complain too much ;-)

Appears I'm mainly Christian, and perhaps it is the moral tenets and theism of the Baha'i Faith, with which I am partly in agreement, that put it so high up on the list.


4. Find your spiritual path

I scored as a serene sightseer.

"There's nothing you like better than a little moonlight meditation. You like to check out a lot of different faiths and aren't scared to ask questions. You'd most likely enjoy religions and spiritualities that stress individual practice."


5. Which Bible hero are you?

Well, it appears I'm Joseph, the son of Jacob ;-)

"Self-assured and proud of it, you're leadership material through and through. Hey, can you help it if other people think you know it all? You do!"


6. How spiritually intelligent are you?

Spiritually Adept: You consistently act with spiritual intelligence, through sensitivity, compassion, and understanding.

And here's one that I wanna try, just for the sake of it:

7. How forgiving are you?

Very merciful. Some people would call you a sucker, and some religions would call you a 'Holy Fool.' You're so merciful you may surprise others.

I sometimes don't know what to think, for I'm often a cold, introverted kind of person. After all, quizzes are merely quantitative, and I can safely say that none of them yielded results with which I am fully satisfied...

Ah, but for the fun of it, why not?

Thursday, May 19, 2005

Thoughts


Victoria Institution
Originally uploaded by mincaye.

This is going to be a rather rojak-ish post.

Top photo, L-R: Remy, me, Lik Wen and Boon Chong. The four NS trainees who returned for Form 6.

Bottom; outside the hostel dining hall, where all Sixth Formers were gathered on Tuesday, the first day.

It's good to be back in school. Almost everyone seems to have grown older and matured; there is a sense of professionalism even in those who were once class clowns.

Yet I also feel younger, probably for two reasons: we share our recess with the First and Second Formers; and registering in school once again, reminded me of my very first day five-and-a-half years ago.

During our Physics period today, I realised something about learning: nothing we learn is really new; we merely see the same old things through new eyes, from different perspectives, and sometimes for different reasons and purposes.

There are only about 23 students in my class (so far), which is a good thing.

I took the liberty of some free time we had today, to begin reading Peterson's 'The Wisdom of Each Other.' Indeed, the device of writing letters as a mode of communication (and maybe even a spiritual discipline) is something I'm beginning to take more and more seriously.

It probably started during Soo Tian's NS stint, in which we (d'NAers) wrote letters to him, and he to us. This I carried on when it was my turn, and I intend to continue writing letters to some close friends, and my cousin who's in Singapore on the ASEAN scholarship.

I learned, in NS, that diligence in writing letters can be very rewarding, and I received no less than 12 letters during that period. Each brought lots of joy, whether long or short, deep or shallow.

Peterson's foreword and introduction are imbued with lots of food for thought, but I will keep my comments on them for TMsquared, when we officially begin this time around.

In Glad Sounds the other day, we talked about the Worldview Quiz. Perhaps we and our friends share the same 'type,' because we are united by things we hold in common; or maybe, it is that we inter-influence each other, to the point that we eventually share a near-identical dominant identity.

All the d'NAers who took it so far are also Cultural Creatives, i.e. Tien Li, Michelle, Tee Ming, Matthew, Soo Tian and me.

And I had my most successful attempt at 'evangelism' in Nando's, in which I convinced Soo Tian that the burger was good; he ordered it and concurred. (By the way, this was Sivin's observation, not mine... and I do not go about promoting food as an exercise in evangelism).

Reading Cover to Cover last night, it occured to me that idols are substitutes for God when people are afraid to face the Creator, afraid of what Peterson calls 'Creator confrontations.'


On a final note, I need to find a prayer partner. Mulling it over before, during and after Physics, I narrowed it down to four possible friends. After a reply from Soo Tian, I narrowed it further to three.

All have strengths and weaknesses, in terms of suitability as a prayer partner. I will pray for further wisdom in this; it must not delay much longer.

(It is now 4:30 a.m. Came back from Star Wars about an hour-and-a-half ago; decided to finish off these posts before the new day dawns)

At the Bishop's


Menara Wesley
Originally uploaded by mincaye.

Eventually, we took the long way through a Chinese restaurant, past Gospel Hall, and through the Methodist Boys' School. (I missed the shortcut, what with limited visibility on a rainy night).

Meeting with David a.k.a. the Bishop (probably due to his seriousness... or was it because his father is a Methodist pastor?) was something special, as it might be our last time together; David and Soo Tian are leaving for the States some months later, and David won't be attending the upcoming d'NA reunion.

The photos are more or less self-explanatory.

Soo Tian found a most original use for a plastic pipe, placed horizontally across the handles of a door... his hood transformed him into Anakin Sufianwalker, in the duel with Ben (Kenobi) on Mustafar.

Donning Soo Tian's hooded sweater, our dear Bishop embraced the dark side, becoming Darth David. Indeed, I always did think he bore the countenance of Darth Vader, what with his stoic walk and unwavering gaze ;-)

In the apartment, we became ourselves again. David is proudly displaying some of his chess guidebooks (mind you, that's only a representative portion!), and in the lower right picture, we're looking at a cookbook.

But photographs can only do so much. They say a picture paints a thousand words; I wonder how many more words silence can paint. So much of what we experienced, the joy of being together, cannot be half expressed in words nor pictures, and so I will not attempt it.

Part of me remains in that evening... or perhaps, more rightly said, part of the evening remains in me. The part that cannot be written nor captured by any mechanical means -- the part that is immortal and eternal. And for that I am grateful.

After Dinner


Petaling Street
Originally uploaded by mincaye.

Soo Tian and I had a little fun with the camera after dinner, back at the hotel. In the lower left picture, we took a mirror shot in the lobby toilet; thankfully, there was no one else about!

The photo on top left is a self-shot of the two of us, on the way to Menara Wesley; I'm holding a compass (both of us missed the Wira Jaya navigation activity in NS).

We happened to pass the Petaling Street Feeding Programme area (top right) on the way... memories of d'NA 2004.

But our best experience was probably the encounter with a blind guitarist in the passageway out of the Plaza Rakyat LRT station. We passed him twice, since we had to turn back when we realised we couldn't cut through the station.

Soo Tian suggested that giving him money was more like payment for services rendered than a mere donation. He also pointed out that the man was giving his all: he used what he had (i.e. the guitar) to the fullest (he played well). We realised that often, we who are blessed with a whole body, hardly give anything close to 100 per cent.

On the way back out, we left him with a brief embrace, and took some photos he would never see.

Wednesday, May 18, 2005

Gems


Kota Raya
Originally uploaded by mincaye.

Yup, 'twas great getting together with Soo Tian and Sivin yesterday.

Sivin introduced us to the Glad Sounds in Kota Raya... and what a journey of discovery it turned out to be for the three of us!

Soo Tian bought Alan Reynolds' 'Reading the Bible for the Love of God' (with a foreword by Eugene Peterson) and I picked up Peterson's 'The Wisdom of Each Other,' which will be part of the TMsquared project this year, while Sivin got Tony Jones' 'Postmodern Youth Ministry.'

We then went to Nando's for dinner, where we had an unfortunate encounter with the supervisor (I think), because I left the umbrella to dry on the cushioned seats.

Over dinner, Sivin said (and I quote): "BLC is like a CF on steroids," alluding to the fact that there are a number of ex-CF presidents in the church, including himself, May Chin and John Cheah.

Monday, May 16, 2005

Prayer


Hands
Originally uploaded by mincaye.
Form 6 begins tomorrow, so this is the final entry of my five-month holiday that began in December.

T.S. Eliot wrote, in the fifth and final stave of his poem 'Little Gidding';

We shall not cease from exploration
And the end of all our exploring
Will be to arrive where we started
And know the place for the first time
.

As I remember my beginning, my childhood, raised in a Christian family, I recall this song:

Read your Bible, pray everyday
Pray everyday, pray everyday
Read your Bible, pray everyday
If you want to grow


More than a decade down the road, I have failed to keep these two simple disciplines. Recently, I've gotten back on track reading the Bible, but I cannot say the same of my prayer life.

Tee Ming always reminds me of the importance -- no, essential-ness -- of prayer, and when I read that Bono 'likes to pray,' I am ashamed. For all the complex theories I have grasped, and the complicated life I have assumed, I have allowed the foundation to slip away...

Indeed, I have Alissa to thank for initiating the d'NA prayer partnerships this year. And I simply must partner with someone as soon as possible.

And it is no accident that I'm at the front page of the 7th chapter of Dallas Willard's The Divine Conspiracy, "The Community of Prayerful Love," which is the longest chapter of the book, after not touching it for quite a while.

Maybe, even as I embark on this new beginning into the sixth form, God is reminding me of the very beginning -- to return to my roots and become as a child, and to one day sing Steven Curtis Chapman's "Let Us Pray" with all that is in me:

I hear you say your heart is aching
You've got trouble in the making
And you ask if I'll be praying for you please
And in keeping with convention
I'll say yes with good intentions
To pray later making mention of your needs
But since we have this moment here at heaven's door
We should start knocking now, what are we waiting for?

Let us pray, let us pray
everywhere in every way
Every moment of the day
it is the right time
For the Father above
he is listening with love
And He wants to answer us
so let us pray

So when we feel the Spirit moving
Prompting, prodding and behooving
There is no time to be losing, let us pray
Let the Father hear us saying
What we need to be conveying
Even while this song is playing, let us pray
And just because we say the word, "Amen"
It doesn't mean this conversation needs to end

Let us pray, let us pray
everywhere in every way
Every moment of the day
it is the right time
Let us pray without end
and when we finish start again
Like breathing out and breathing in
let us pray

Let us approach the throne of grace with confidence
As our prayers draw us near
To the One who know our needs
Before we even call His name


So I take my leave here, and I ask the Lord to keep me throughout tonight, and the days to come.

And I remember Max Lucado's words: "If ever my hands are clenched, let them be in prayer."

Selamat malam, semua.

What is Your World View?

This is how I recently scored on a quiz here.



You scored as Cultural Creative. Cultural Creatives are probably the newest group to enter this realm. You are a modern thinker who tends to shy away from organized religion but still feels as if there is something greater than ourselves. You are very spiritual, even if you are not religious. Life has a meaning outside of the rational.

Cultural Creative

88%

Postmodernist

75%

Idealist

56%

Romanticist

44%

Existentialist

44%

Fundamentalist

38%

Modernist

25%

Materialist

13%

What is Your World View?
created with QuizFarm.com

And this is how Sivin's results compare...

Cultural Creative

88%

Postmodernist

56%

Fundamentalist

50%

Romanticist

50%

Existentialist

31%

Idealist

31%

Modernist

19%

Materialist

19%

What is Your World View?
created with QuizFarm.com

The Manna Adventure


sandwich
Originally uploaded by mincaye.
Hoong Guit left a loaf of bread on the table. Needless to say...


(Clockwise from top left):

1) The malnourished refugees of Bangsar

2) James' conscience speaking: "Is Gardenia kosher?"

3) Doing what Malaysians do best...

4) Moh Foong: "Here I come!!!"


We tried several variations, including sandwiches with sweet sauce, chilli sauce, potato chips (a happy Sivin was in sight!), deli tuna and mayonnaise.

Unfortunately, the longans in syrup were depleted by then.

Post-SU


nasi lemak
Originally uploaded by mincaye.
It appears that Keat Lim has directed (at least some of) his resources to the consumption of nasi lemak, after leaving Scripture Union earlier this year.

Pic 1: Now you see it ...

Pic 2: ... now you don't!

Pic 3: The smug wink of a contented man

That was the last packet at The Father's House (BLC) after service on Sunday.

I wonder... what will heaven's nasi lemak be like? ;-)

Sunday, May 15, 2005

Gifts


Pewter
Originally uploaded by mincaye.
Tee Ming bought this, and gave it to me the day before yesterday.

I think it arose out of our conversation when she visited me at camp, that I needed/wanted a letter opener (or maybe, that I like letter openers in general).

She had no idea that pewter is my favourite metal.

So it is with gifts, that sometimes the giver doesn't realise just how much some gifts mean to the recipient.

There is so much joy in giving, whether material or immaterial. And maybe that's why God is a giver -- simply because he is joy.

Minds


Minds
Originally uploaded by mincaye.
I've always held by this general principle, which I first came across sometime ago on a notice board in the pondok near my school gate.

In conversation with Tee Ming on Friday, the thought recurred.

And it happens that this signboard was on display in a very conspicuous location in Convent Sentul, where the KL drama state finals were held on Saturday.

Naturally, I reached for my camera, which was at that time attached to my belt...

Thursday, May 12, 2005

Back in KL


Starbucks
Originally uploaded by mincaye.
Hi again. If you're reading this, thanks for remembering me, and my blog!

I'm back from NS for awhile, to register for and begin Form 6 come Tuesday. After that, I will return to camp for about a week to complete the Community Service module and end my stint on 28 May.

Haven't been doing much lately, resting mostly.

This morning, went to Times Square to get tickets for the Wednesday midnight screening of Star Wars Episode III. The queue was surprisingly short, which was a good thing. Then, popped by school before meeting Mum for lunch at KLCC, after which we picked up some fragrances from The Body Shop.

Yesterday, went to Mid Valley, where I watched Imagining Argentina; it reminds me very much of A Beautiful Mind, though with a somewhat more fractured execution. There also, I bought Mulan and The Return of the King, two movies that came to my mind again and again at camp.

I love these words from the Mulan song, 'Reflection':

Who is that girl I see
Staring straight back at me
Why is my reflection
Someone I don't know
Must I pretend that I'm
Someone else for all time
When will my reflection show
Who I am inside?


Bought the Indonesian band Peterpan's album, Bintang di Surga from Tower Records today. There's this song called 'Mungkin Nanti,' which I've heard umpteen times over ERA.fm at NS. Great chorus:

Dan mungkin bila nanti
Kita kan bertemu lagi
Satu pintaku
Jangan kau coba
tanyakan kembali
Rasa yang ku tinggal mati
Seperti hari kemarin
Saat semua disini


Am looking forward to meeting Tee Ming tomorrow, and hopefully Soo Tian next week, when he comes down for Visa applications.

Good night.