Laws of the Corporate World

P = w/t

Reads: Power is work over time.

In other words, if you want power, you have to work overtime.

Pt = w
Reads: Power times time is work.

It follows that, if you want to hold power for a period of time, you have to work for it.

2Pt = 2w

Therefore, if you want more power in a longer period of time, you have to do more work!

Man, this is a dog-eat-dog world!

Anyway, now that you have witnessed what Physics can do to an English major, I have to get back to studying Physics for my mid-term...

A nightmare erred

Violently I shook
With tears of sorrow
or rather of fear.
I don't quite know.

Of this I'm sure:
It's a nightmare erred.

Silently I pondered
the question "Why";
To this none answered
And I'm left in a puzzle.

Of this I'm sure:
It's a nightmare erred.

Secretly I hope
it's just a joke-
that it's April Fool!
a little overdue.

Then I'll know for sure:
It's a nightmare erred.

of Beauty

Every now and then,
I shift my beauty-starved eyes
from the monitor screen,
from the books and notes.

I leave the air-conditioned room
and roam in the cool night air,
drinking in the beauty of God's creation
like a vagabond in the desert
who stumbled upon an oasis.

I lift my head
and feast my eyes upon the beauty-
to which none can compare.

I froze in awe and wonder.

But I do that
only once in a while.
For norm is the cruel murderer of beauty.

Once upon a time

Once upon a time, we wanted to outgrow our jeans. Now, we want our jeans to outgrow us.

Once upon a time, we wished we could help Mummy clean. Now, cleaning becomes a chore.

Once upon a time, we looked forward to our next birthday. Now, we wish that it creeps up as slowly as possible.

Once upon a time, we wanted to be just like Mummy or Daddy. Now, being likened to our parents is an offence.

Once upon a time, we looked forward to each new day. Now, each new day is just another set of routine.

I wonder if anything had changed, or are we just being carried away by the tide of time?

The Power of Love

"To love, is to entrust someone with the power to hurt you."

the Thing with feathers that perches in the soul

Life is a series of promotions from one set of routine to another. Remember the time when our routine comprised of only nap time, playtime, and mealtime? Then it included school time and break time, then gradually work time.

And we wonder why we spend a lifetime going through the motions, like the goods in a factory going through the conveyor belts. The outcome is generic. Every prince and every pauper is mere flesh and bone rotting six feet under.

Yet, deep within every heart and every soul, there is a longing for something more to this life. Because if our ultimate destination is death and no further, why does it matter what we do and how we live?

We silently and subconsciously cling on to the only thing that keeps us going: hope, like a spark of light at the end of the tunnel. A hope that the significance of our years spent on earth -may it be one or one hundred- ceases not with our last gasp for oxygen.

But such hope can only come from one who has himself conquered death, and thus can secure a promise of life after death. Only Jesus alone has conquered death, and only Jesus provides an answer to the hope of every heart. And all who believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

Hope is not mere wishful thinking. Hope is not the flicker of a candle in the dark, quivering in the embrace of the lightest breeze, never knowing if it will withstand the wind.

Hope is closing your eyes on the world for one last time, knowing full well that you will open them in paradise.

And to raise a generation of hope is for the hopefuls to take this message to the hopeless - a message that gives the world a reason to live.

Because the things that we do today matter in the life to come.

The quest for Perfection

is a lonely jog along a never-ending road.

Moving forward, but never arriving at the destination.

Leaving no room for companionship.

Ever accelerating to stay ahead of the pack.

Exhausting, but never fatal.

Then I turn around, only to find that I have been running on a treadmill. With 15 pounds of weight heaped upon my shoulders.

random facts about the Other

Let's just say that I have quite an "interesting" job. One that many are dying for. Or not. So as my team is winding down from the peak season of intensive classes, I spend more time doing, well, nothing. To elaborate a little more, that translates into me spending more time just looking at people eating.

Anyway, the past week had been a guy's week, with mostly, if not all, male students. And I observed some fun facts about this other creation of God.

1. Guys put everything (did I say EVERYTHING?) in their pockets. Even a whole bottle of water! Wow! How does one do that? It's a miracle!

2. Be it 4 or 40, guys like tugging at pigtails! So I saw this middle-age man tugging at his female classmate's ponytail. Ah, good old days... Just like back in kindergarten.

3. Guys love candies! So we serve Mountain Trail Mix (a mixture of all kinds of nuts, raisins, and M'n'Ms) at our hospitality room. And at the end of everyday for the past week, all that was left, or rather all that was missing from the Trail Mix bowl was M'n'Ms! Hmm... I wonder what happened...

God sure had a sense of humour when He created these fascinatingly queer (or queerly fascinating) creatures!

You Are God Alone

You are not a god created by human hands
You are not a god dependant on any mortal man
You are not a god in need of anything we can give
By Your plan, that's just the way it is

You are God alone from before time began
You were on Your throne, You are God alone
And right now, in the good times and bad
You are on Your throne, You are God alone

You're the only God whose power none can contend
You're the only God whose name and praise will never end
You're the only God who's worthy of everything we can give
You are God, and that's just the way it is

Unchangeable
Unshakable
Unstoppable
That's what You are

Storm in the Silence

There was silence. That awkward silence that I had dreaded. It somehow seemed like the silence had stripped me naked and exposed all that I had been trying so hard to masquerade. Then she'll hear my anxious gasps for air and the deep pounding of my heart, like a hammer on hollow wood. She'll read my mind like an open book- the very thing that I hhad been trying anxiously to hide. Because it was screaming "Get me outta here!" I was sure she heard that scream, because the silence, like a megaphone, had amplified it a thousandfold.

So I desperately operated my innate search engine to locate the right words to say. Wheels were turning and pages were flipping in search of those words that had never existed. And never will. I heard myself said, "I am sure the LORD let things happen for a reason. I am sure He has a better plan in store." That was a lie. That was just the default response for a situation like this. It is not that He does not have a better plan, but it's just that, right at that very moment, I was not so sure about it.

A million questions popped up in my mind. Like the game in which you whack the bobbing heads with a club, I tried to strike each of these questions down, and confine them to the dungeon of my mind. But they were raving to get out, pushing and stampeding their way out. In the process, hurting me from the inside out. And the pain that was caused translated into tears that flowed freely down my cheeks.

"The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away;

may the name of the LORD be praised."

Job 1:21b

Been thinking...

How effortlessly we point our fingers at those who nailed Jesus to the cross! The Romans who had to do what was politically correct then, and the Jews who had no room for the message of grace.

But what if Jesus comes now? Will our generation nail him to the cross just as they did? How will we respond to Him?

I can imagine those of us who will oppose His politically incorrect ways. I can imagine the skeptics in our midst who will sneer and jeer at the incomprehensible concept of grace. We have already crucified Him in our own ways. Like Bethlehem, we are too occupied to make room for the King.

What happens if Jesus comes today? I don't know. I don't wanna know. I am glad He came when he did, because it's always easier to look from the outside.

The Power of Love

As I read Luke 19 again, the scene of Zacchaeus climbing up onto the sycamore tree unfolded itself before me once more.

Jesus was in town, and everyone would give anything to steal a glance at this controversial prophet. Buried in the sea of faces was that of Zacchaeus's. A small man in physique and a small man in the judgemental eyes of his fellow countryman, Zacchaeus was forced to climb a tree in order to steal a look at his Saviour. Jesus, of course, had a heart big enough for a small man like Zacchaeus and He offered to go to Zacchaeus's house for the day.

Despite my familiarity with the story, I was suddenly struck with awe as I read Zacchaeus's response:

"Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount." (Luke 19:8)

Jesus did not rebuke Zacchaeus for his sin. Jesus did not condemn his acts of dishonesty towards his fellow countryman. Jesus did not tell him to make right his wrong before coming to the Messiah. Jesus merely extended his invitation of love to Zacchaeus just as he was. With arms opened wide.

And yet, this undeserving love did what no amount of condemnation or rebuke could do. It melted a man's heart. It walked a sinner through the gates of grace.

And a precious child of God was eternally altered.

That's the power of love. Undeserving love.

Grace like rain falls down on me

"Grace... the last good word in the English language."

-Philip Yancey, "What's So Amazing About Grace?"

My God is a holy God. He demands perfection and holiness. He commanded that we turn the other cheek, go the extra mile, and love our enemies, all of which I have failed miserably. Lust is to Him an act of adultery and hatred amounts to murder, and of course, I have not failed to do either. How can I please a holy God when my righteous acts are like filthy rags in His sight?

He knew I was never gonna be good enough for His standards, but He was more than good enough to me. I could not reach up, so God reached down.

He reached down and lifted me up from my wretched disposition. Grace like rain falls down on me. And I am drenched.

Bookworm-athon

Just a little bragging (and sharing!). I went through 5 books this summer (so far!). Good reads they are!

1. Mansfield Park by Jane Austen
2. Why? by Vernon Brewer
3. The Jesus I Never Knew by Philip Yancey (Great book! Very refreshing. Highly recommended!)
4. To Kill a Mocking Bird by Harper Lee (Another amazing book!)
5. What's So Amazing about Grace? by Philip Yancey (Highly recommended!)

Well, if you haven't already realised, I am very proud of myself! It's nice catching up on some reading for pleasure.

PS: Oh, did I mention that I am currently on Baker Street with Sherlock Holmes?

All the Right Answers

My many years spent in Sunday School has alerted me that, in spite of what they say, there are right answers to "Christian questions," safe generic answers that is, that will not betray your true self.

"Children, what do you do when you are sick?" "Pray to Jesus!" comes the answer, without a second thought, even though Mummy is all they want when are actually ill. "Do you know who loves you the most?" "Jesus!" comes the answer, although their parents are the only ones who mean the world to them.

Just like the little children who were subconsciously taught to memorise the right answers, we too are all too familiar with giving the right answers.

What must one do in order to be saved?
"We must acknowledge that we are sinners, confess with our mouths, and believe and accept that Jesus has died to take away our sins."

It is no wonder that Kevin Roose, author of "The Unlikely Disciple," who came to Liberty University as an undercover (of sorts), managed to join the church choir to sing praises to the God he has never personally known and went on a mission trip to preach the gospel of the Jesus he has never believed in. As ironic as it may sound, it's not that unbelievable after all. Knowing all the right answers is not that hard to accomplish. Just say yes to the questions that you should say yes to, and no to the questions that you should say no to. It's almost a no-brainer.

But Christianity is not about knowing all the right answers; it's about being on the right side of eternity- the winning side. Knowing all the right answers is not hard at all, living out the right answers- that's the challenge!

LIFE 101

Professor: The Creator
Class time: Every waking moment

Course Objective
The main objective of this class to allow students to get to know the Creator. This course is also designed to give students the opportunity to make the best of the talents that the Creator has bestowed on each individual and to make full use of the time that the Creator has given to them.

Prerequisites
No prerequisites required, as students are picked out of the dirt, literally.

Textbooks
There are no required textbooks for this course, as the coursework and lesson plan are exclusively unique for each student.
Recommended reference material: Holy Bible. Please be aware that this is not a direct generic solution manual for the coursework involved in this class, but careful and deep study of this material will greatly assist you to succeed in this class.

Attendance Policy
Full attendance is required to pass. Failure to achieve perfect attendance will result in your failing this class.

Coursework
- Assignments: Generally, there will be three (3) major assignments, each given at a different stage throughout the course of this class.
Assignment #1. Childhood: Students are expected to demonstrate obedience to authority.
Assignment #2. Teenage: Students are expected to demonstrate submission to authority when authority is placed over them, and the ability to take responsibility is also expected of students when they are given freedom.
Assignment #3. Adulthood: Students are held accountable for everything and everyone under their care and authority. Students will have to answer for their actions at the end of this course.
- Tests: There will be numerous tests during the course of this class. Tests will not be announced ahead of time. It is the student's responsibility to be prepared at all times.
*Please take note that the coursework for each student differs. This is only a general guideline. Some may have less assignments and more tests.

Grading Rubric
The final grade for this class is taken collectively from the assignments and tests. In order to pass this class, one must acknowledge the Creator and all that He has done.
Grade A: Have a personal relationship with the Creator; Fulfilled the Creator's will; Left behind a legacy.
Grade B: Have a personal relationship with the Creator; Fulfilled the Creator's will.
Grade C: Merely acknowledged the Creator and all that He has done.
Grade F: Failed to acknowledge Creator and all that He has done.

Extra Credit
There are countless extra credit opportunities throughout the course of this class, but they will not be announced in class. It is the student's responsibility to take note and recognise these opportunities.

Have fun taking LIFE 101!!

A thing of beauty

"A thing of beauty is a joy forever..."

John Keats

Do you want to know what is a thing of beauty? It is the taste of heaven.

As we were all crying out loud in one voice, but with different tongues, to the Lord God Almighty, I could not help but to stand in awe of Him who brought us together, and bound us to the body of Christ with His all surpassing love. I am so glad that His love transcends all the earthly differences that set us apart.

That is what heaven is gonna be like! Beautiful...

"There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free,

neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. "

Galatians 3:28

The Things that Never Change

There are some things that never change in spite of the tireless ticking of the second hand.

It was graduation day. The procession of anxious yet excited graduates was making its way into the stadium. I can swear that that same flood of emotions was no stranger to me. Ah yes! It was that very moment when I was making my way to the stage for my first graduation concert in kindergarten. That same anxiety and excitement! Of course, I remember!

But all the more overwhelming was the emotions and excitement that swept over the crowd on the floor. Seats were vacant, not because the turn-up was bad, but because there was nothing that could bind the parents to their chairs. Lights were flashing, not because it was going to rain, but because everyone was trying to make that moment last forever by eternally engraving it into that little light-emitting box. Hands were waving, not because an American Idol was in town, but because someone's Idol was coming down the aisle.

At that very moment, it was as if time stood still, and there was no one else in the entire world, but the cameraman and his wife, trying to capture the glorious moment when their Princess walked down the aisle with the proud smile underneath the identical black cap and gown. Yet to the cameraman, that girl in cap and gown was unique. She was one of a kind!

Some things never change in spite of the tireless ticking of the second hand. It's the love of a parent.

Happy Belated April's Fool!

I understand if my peers think that China is part of South East Asia, or that Kimono is Chinese.... but this? In my History textbook?

Don't I just LOVE them...

of Dreams...

I was taught to Dream:
To Dream big and to Dream far;
To reach for the moon, lest I should fall,
I'll still find myself among the stars.

But what is Dream
when I am just a gush of whirlwind?
And what is Dream
as I bathe in tears that flow like a stream?

Still I did dream:
I dreamt big and I dreamt far.
I reached for the moon, and surely I did fall
to find myself among starfishes on the shore.

A Geography Lesson

It was the first Residence Hall Leaders' Meeting after Christmas break and the first one for this semester. So we were going around sharing what we did over the break.

TommiLee: Our family had a Chinese Night. We had Chinese food and Chinese tea. I don't know what's it called, but we had this thing that is wrapped in seaweed.

Dorcas: Er... I don't think that's Chinese. It's most probably Japanese food.

TommiLee: Oh, really? Anyway, we dressed up as Chinese too!

Rachel: Oh! What did you guys wear?

TommiLee: We all had Kimonos on!

Dorcas: Erm... Kimono is Japanese too.

(Girls laugh)

TommiLee: Oh well, it's just an inter-cultural night then.

Natalie: Maybe you can call it South East Asia Night!

Dorcas: Well, actually, neither China nor Japan is part South East Asia.

Natalie: (blushes) Oops, sorry!

Well, this is American Geography for you.

*Please take note: Kimonos and Sushis are Japanese, and there are 10 countries in South East Asia, but Japan and China are NOT in the list!