With Arms High & Heart Abandoned

6 Months Later... and a Year Older

2011-04-30T01:12:00.005+08:00

Time changes everything. It's free, but it's also priceless. You can't own it, but you can use it. You can't keep it, but you can spend it. Once you've lost it, you can never get it back.

Yes, I am finally back to pen down something on my now 'rusty' blog (in the metaphorical sense of course). How're all of you who have so faithfully returned repeatedly over the past 6 months to see if Yours Truly has put up some new post? I sincerely hope that all's well with you who are reading this, and if you share the same faith as I do, may the Lord do a good work in your life today! xD

This hiatus of half-a-year has given me time to reflect about the past year, about what I would resolve to change this year; as I experienced a major wake-up call, something I did not expect, something that made me realise how much I needed to get my life back into perspective. I believe that everything happens for a reason, and the past 6 months have given me time; time to reason, time to think, time to believe, time to mature, time to care, time to fellowship, time to pray, and most importantly, time to love. Also, there's just so much to thank God for, but that'll be for another post-to-come.

More significantly, as I'm writing all this down, I know that for better or for worse, I turned a year older 1 hour ago. My birthday wish this year is somewhat similar to what Solomon asked from God: a wise and discerning heart (1 Kings 3).

As I turned 23, I recalled something related to age (something medically relevant as well) that I read a while back, that might interest some of my more medically-inclined readers: the enigmatic but awe-inspiring story of Brooke Greenberg. Just like any other toddler, she likes to giggle and crawl around. She's 76 cm (30 inches) tall and weighs about 7 kg (16 pounds), but Brooke was born in 1993. At 18 years old, she's still trapped in the body of a 1-year-old due to a rare condition called Syndrome X (and no, it's not the Metabolic Syndrome that some of you know so well!). A doctor observed, "Her cellular age does not match her actual age." Some people believe that she's the world's first "immortal". It is really a medical mystery of this century!

I just ended my Paediatrics posting, and will begin my Obs & Gynae posting next week! Really enjoyed my Paeds posting thoroughly and no doubt am gonna miss it! I'm also blessed to have awesome subgroup mates! =D Cheers D,V,S & YP!

Yeah, so folks, this is Yours Truly once more, hopefully with more things to add to my blog in the coming weeks! Till then, take care y'all & God bless!! =D

*listening to City Harvest's God of My Forever*

~Tim~

This Makes Sense... Even Though I Don't Believe It!

2010-10-17T17:11:00.004+08:00

While browsing through Facebook today, I couldn't help but notice a link that one of my friends from KL posted. He was actually linking what some other guy linked, which was a post about, well, I won't be a killjoy and spoil the fun... you should just read it yourself!

Disclaimer: Personally, I don't agree with what he postulated at the end, but the following is for entertainment purposes only. Here it goes:

The following is an actual question given on a University of Washington chemistry mid-term exam. The answer by one student was so "profound" that the professor shared it with colleagues, via the Internet, which is, of course, why we now have the pleasure of enjoying it as well...

Here is the "Bonus Question" on the exam: "Is Hell exothermic (gives off heat) or endothermic (absorbs heat)?"Most of the students wrote proofs of their beliefs using Boyle's Law (gas cools when it expands and heats when it is compressed) or some variant. One student, however, wrote the following:

First, we need to know how the mass of Hell is changing in time. So we need to know the rate at which souls are moving into Hell and the rate at which they are leaving. I think that we can safely assume that once a soul gets to Hell, it will not leave. Therefore, no souls are leaving.

As for how many souls are entering Hell, let's look at the different Religions that exist in the world today. Most of these religions state that if you are not a member of their religion, you will go to Hell. Since there is more than one of these religions and since people do not belong to more than one religion, we can project that all souls go to Hell.

With birth and death rates as they are, we can expect the number of souls in Hell to increase exponentially.

Now, we look at the rate of change of the volume in Hell because Boyle's Law states that in order for the temperature and pressure in Hell to stay the same, the volume of Hell has to expand proportionately as souls are added. This gives two possibilities:

1. If Hell is expanding at a slower rate than the rate at which souls enter Hell, then the temperature and pressure in Hell will increase until all Hell breaks loose.

2. If Hell is expanding at a rate faster than the increase of souls in Hell, then the temperature and pressure will drop until Hell freezes over.

So which is it? If we accept the postulate given to me by Teresa (a girlfriend of mine during my Freshman year) that, "it will be a cold day in Hell before I sleep with you", and take into account the fact that I slept with her last night, then number 2 must be true, and thus I am sure that Hell is exothermic and has already frozen over.

The corollary of this theory is that since Hell has frozen over, it follows that it is not accepting any more souls and is therefore, extinct...leaving only Heaven, thereby proving the existence of a divine being which explains why, last night, Teresa kept shouting "Oh my God."

THIS STUDENT RECEIVED THE ONLY "A."

In Memory of Those Who Perished 9 Years Ago On This Very Day

2010-09-11T22:19:00.006+08:00

I can't believe it has already been 9 years since we witnessed the telecast on TV depicting the horror and shock that took the world by storm. The act of terrorism against the world's foremost superpower demonstrated not only the devastating effects of war, but also highlighted the fact that man, with all his hatred and vengeance, could lash out barbarically against another man (men) of another race. In monstrous acts like this, no party is truly the victor. All there is, or rather all that is left, are the charred corpses of human flesh plus the peril and anguish that comes along with it... and to what benefit? Yes, in war, it is true that if you don't seek to defend yourself or your nation, you seek only to accept defeat and loss of life, maybe even your own. Human nature compels each of us to defend ourselves when being assaulted or when our livelihoods depend on victory in war. But the real questions the world must ask are these: Do we need war and is it really necessary to produce the so-called "needed" changes on a global scale? Who truly benefits from war and are there any hidden motives and agendas behind each strike, be it ballistics or nuclear? All of us, as one humanity; as one mankind; and as brothers of one flesh... should ask ourselves whether there is a need to perpetuate the already growing tension among the races? Why is the notion or idea of world peace something idealists nowadays would dub as 'far-fetched'?

Think about these issues and make your own conclusions ppl! Oh and Selamat Hari Raya to all my Muslim friends who also happen to read my blog! =)

p.s. FYI for those who still don't know what I've been up to recently, here's a preview:

Well, basically, I've built 3 virtual cities on this new SimCity-like game called Cities XL, and I've taken many, many screenshots of 2 of these cities, just like the one you see above. This one's from the city I named El Grandios, and more pictures of these can be found by clicking here. The other city, The Ambrosia Islands, can be viewed by clicking here. Juz so you guys know, if I weren't doing Medicine, I'd prob be doing Architecture or City Planning for my basic degree lolz... Well, have fun with the tons of 'eye candy' you get from these two FB albums! Till my next post... Cheers!

~Tim~

How Being a Busybody Can Pay Off

2010-08-25T01:04:00.004+08:00

I hope you guyz/gals don't get mislead by this post's title. It's juz that everytime I visit my blog, I am reminded how much I want to say here. Problem is, time is of the essence, especially when things are getting more intensive here in my Internal Medicine posting. Gonna pen down something here real soon hopefully, but it's prob gonna be during the weekend. This week alone, I have my MCR (which is in 9 hours time, man I gotta call it a night soon!), EBCP project, Long Case Discussion, etc... and I haven't started preparing my PBL presentation! Sigh, the things I sacrifice for the greater good of mankind! ~

Our Deepest Fear

2010-07-14T18:26:00.001+08:00

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine as children do. It's not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own lights shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

From Surgery to Medicine

2010-07-12T13:58:00.003+08:00

Ahh, seems like ages since I last blogged... Maybe, just maybe, the voice within me resonates to a frequency that shatters all desires and ambitions to just mindlessly blog like some people do on their blogs. Perhaps the perfectionist within me blogs, or at least tries to, about things or events that exemplify and amplify the quality rather than the quantity. Even more imminent is the knowledge that this semester of my 3rd year in MBBS demands an even greater need to excel and push myself harder to do well. It is probably for this reason that I missed out on this year's CF camp, which happened to coincide with my first day of my Medical posting. Disappointed as I was when I found out, I knew that this path of selflessness, sacrifice and integrity was my 'higher calling' to do something in this world.

Well, a week has passed since it all began. Just like that, Week 1 ended. But like many of my friends, we can agree that it was a good one, to say the least (they say that the first week is always the calm before the storm). As the mindset of my peers and I shift towards the other half of the Year 3 syllabus (i.e those who were in Surgery last sem, like me, would now be posted in Medicine and vice versa), we were given a brief overview of what was to be expected. Our group tutor was none other than Dr. Wong Yin Onn, who was renowned for his passion in teaching Internal and General Medicine. Many of us would agree that he is a doctor who commands respect, a physician who emphasizes on finesse, and who pushes us even further to think and correlate basic sciences with the clinical aspects of medicine. He mentioned that by the end of this posting, he hopes that he would have made us into better doctors for the future!

By far, I still miss Surgery. Last sem, my group members and I were under what many of our seniors said were 2 of the best teaching surgeons that Monash had employed. It wouldn't be wrong to say that both Mr. Farouk and Mr. Shwe had somewhat 'drilled' into us the general principles of Surgery, and it was fun learning from their respective perspectives. However, it is time to move on... Medicine should now be the focus of my attention!

Note to self: Push yourself Tim! You're halfway through MBBS, just another half to go! Just don't burn out along the way and as best as you can, maintain the exercise regime you've planned for yourself! Trust God and He'll do the rest, He'll provide and give you the strength you need!

~Tim~

Wisdom For Life

2010-06-21T22:49:00.007+08:00

My siblings (JC & Eve) and I

AWESOME FRIENDS!!

Well peeps, it's been ages since I last penned down my thoughts on my blog... almost a good ol' 2 months! Let's juz say that for the most of it, I was pretty busy with end-of-sem assignments and preparing for my Formative Written and OSCE exams. It's been a good whole week since my hols started, and let's just say I have not been in Malaysia for almost the entire week; the reason being that I was in S'pore and Indonesia for my annual church camp at Batam Island.

Overall, it was a good and refreshing camp, and I got to do things I never did before: experiencing the thrills of cable-skiing and being on the receiving end of an hour-and-a-half massage at a massage parlour. Yeah, those 2 activities alone kinda burned a hole in my pocket, but thankfully, I still had some cash leftover in case of any emergency. Had an awesome time with my old church friends, and I got to know a few more peeps who made camp even more fun! =) Thanx esp to AWESOME friends Joanne Yan, Hoy Meng, Angie, and Matt Yeo for the memories!!

Now, for the real purpose of this post: to share with one and all what I learned from this camp (yeah, I'm sure you guys are all eager and waiting anxiously for this part! =p) Our camp speaker, Ps. Steven Tan, delivered his series of a total of 8 messages from the book of Ecclesiastes. Yet, he somehow managed to squeeze all those sermons into 4 consecutive days; meaning there were 2 sermons per day! They were unique in the sense that his first sermon was the Conclusion: Fear God and keep His commandments. Although the speaker went through each message pretty fast, he did state some points that made for some good food for thought. Below are the main points I extracted from the rest of the messages:

When it seems that God does not answer our prayers, it may be that He wants us to live with unanswered prayers (or rather the answer of NO or WAIT)
If God lays upon your heart to do something, just DO it (out of love)
We can make a significant difference not by doing just the significant things in life, but by doing the little things faithfully
A man's worth is determined by his worth in God's eyes
On the surface, a man who is wise will ultimately have the same fate as a man who is foolish
It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it
Sometimes, silence is golden: DO NOT utter meaningless words... just be still and know that He is God and He is in control
The right attitude is essential in whatever we think, say and do
DO NOT be a "stranger" in your own family
The end of a matter is better than its beginning
Never overestimate nor underestimate yourself - in everything we do, do in moderation
Make full use of every opportunity you get - you may not get a second chance!
Life doesn't meet all our expectations - we need to lower them a little sometimes
Unexpected things happen... expect them!
Live with a generous spirit - it can enact a chain of blessings to many people around you
Youths should "live for the moment"... but they will all be accountable to God eventually
Give yourself to worthy causes!
RWS - Relationship with/Walk with/Spirit of God --> Elements of a healthy Christian life

FEATURE: Puns, For the Educated Mind

2010-04-25T16:35:00.001+08:00

1. The roundest knight at King Arthur's round table was Sir Cumference. He acquired his size from too much pi.

2. I thought I saw an eye doctor on an Alaskan island, but it turned out to be an optical Aleutian .

3. She was only a whisky maker, but he loved her still.

4. A rubber band pistol was confiscated from algebra class because it was a weapon of maths disruption.

5. The butcher backed into the meat grinder and got a little behind in his work.

6. No matter how much you push the envelope, it'll still be stationery.

7. A dog gave birth to puppies near the road and was cited for littering.

8. A grenade thrown into a kitchen in France would result in Linoleum Blownapart.

9. Two silk worms had a race. They ended up in a tie.

10. Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.

11. A hole has been found in the nudist camp wall. The police are looking into it.

12. Atheism is a non-prophet organisation.

13. Two hats were hanging on a hat rack in the hallway. One hat said to the other, 'You stay here, I'll go on a head.'

14. I wondered why the baseball kept getting bigger. Then, it hit me.

15. A sign on the lawn at a drug rehab centre said, 'Keep off the Grass.'

16. A small boy swallowed some coins and was taken to a hospital. When his grandmother telephoned to ask how he was, a nurse said, 'No change yet.'

17. A chicken crossing the road is poultry in motion.

18. The short fortune-teller who escaped from prison was a small medium at large.

19. The man who survived mustard gas and pepper spray is now a seasoned veteran.

20. A backward poet writes inverse.

21. In democracy, it's your vote that counts. In feudalism, it's your count that votes.

22. When cannibals ate a missionary, they got a taste of religion.

23. Don't join dangerous cults: Practice safe sects.

5 Essential Features of a Top Surgeon

2010-04-09T00:40:00.002+08:00

1. Fingers of a Lady - Delicate, yet intrinsically firm to handle even the finest of surgical instruments and manoeuvring them with deadly precision (not to be confused with an abnormal fetish for the vegetable lady's fingers)

2. Eyes of an Eagle - Sharp eyesight to pinpoint even the most minute detail during surgery, which is essentially important during micro-surgery

3. Heart of a Lion - Brave enough to take risks during surgery as well as being cool, calm & collected during a surgical crisis

4. Stomach of a Camel - Able to withstand not eating food and drinking fluids for at least 12-13 hours straight and not develop gastric pain in the long term

5. Legs of a Horse - Mighty lower limbs to support the body for the entire duration of the surgery and an innate immunity to falling down by slipping on banana skins

The Greatest Sacrifice in History!

2010-04-04T12:57:00.004+08:00

"He had to die so that we might live". I know I'm reiterating the famous statement on the right that all of you see every time you visit my blog, but because 4/4/2010 is also Easter Sunday, I felt like emphasizing it. =)

Newaez, Yours Truly juz got back from Easter Sunday service at City Harvest Church JB. It was a good one, and not juz because of the great company (Rachel and Nick... haha sorry Grace, you juz happened not to come with us today, but I understand). Pastor CK delivered a memorable message; and usually, I don't really give credit to sermons on my blog, if there were any to begin with. There were 3 instances in his sermon which really touched me on a spiritual and emotional level, and I'm pretty sure it touched both "NicHel" as well. Haha, kudos if you got that! =D The following is what I mean:

#1: A really powerful, heart-seeking, message-inspiring video about the power of forgiveness. The video showed a man visiting his father behind what seemed like a prison centre, where visitors are allowed to see and make contact with the inmates/death row convicts across a transparent bulletproof-glass-like structure. His father had neglected, rejected and made use of his son, and displaced his trust in the process. The man expressed all these not by verbal words, but by words written on flash cards: "You neglected me", You rejected me", etc. His second last card showed us why: the father had killed his wife, the son's mother. All this while, both parties were in tears and wrought with sadness, grief, and regret. His final card showed that although the son was deeply hurt, he forgave his father.

#2: This is an analogy of God the Father's decision to sacrifice his one and only begotten Son, Jesus, on the cross to pay the price for our sins. It tells the story of a father who worked at a local train station who brought his 6-year old son to work one day. The father allowed his son to play by himself as long as he was within a safe distance from the railroad tracks and within sight. However, the father got tired as the hours went by. What he did not realise was that his son was unknowingly moving closer and closer to the tracks as time went by. When he finally realised this, his son was already at a foot's length away from falling over. Then, the inevitable happened. The son fell onto the rail tracks and his foot got stuck in it. However at that very moment, a train was heading exactly in that direction towards his son. Both father and son panicked. One good thing was that the track leading up to his son was split into two separate tracks (let's call them Track A1 and A2: the one his son was stuck in was A1). The person controlling the flow of trains (which was the father) could alter the wedgie at will to make the train go in the other direction by the push of a button. Also, the train could only be controlled, started and stopped by the conductor inside the train. Unfortunately, Track A2 was closed due to fatal faults to the lining and structure and still under major repair. So as you can see, the father now had 2 options: push the button and let hundreds, maybe thousands, of people die, or not push it and let his son die. He had less than 10 seconds now to decide what to do. With sweat trickling down his face, the father froze in place. Both his heart and brain were in a heated debate: the former telling him to push the button to save his son's life, while his brain sought to reason with the logic of killing 1 to save a thousand. Finally, as adrenaline continued circulating in his body, he did not push the button even though every muscle in his body wanted to... He let his son perish to save the many lives aboard the train.

#3: The final instance is a comparison of humans and sin to ants and honey. Ants, as we all know too well, are attracted to sweet things like sugar. Some of us are like ants too, with a sweet tooth as people call it, but that's beside the point. Honey is a food made by certain insects. It is sweet, and ants love it. However, it is also sticky, and when any ant attempts to soak itself in it, or merely collect a bit of it, the ant will get trapped in the substance, with no chance of escape forever. The life of that particular ant as we all know it, will cease to exist from that point onwards. In the same way, honey is like sin. For humans to resist sinning is like telling an ant to resist collecting honey. Once caught in sin, forever a sinner. Even the strongest-willed of human beings are not perfect, and like the Bible says in Romans 3:23, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God". However, we can rejoice in the fact that the chains of sin binding us are gone when we accept Christ as personal Lord & Saviour for what He did for us on the cross. =D Hallelujah!!

Yeah, so I hope these 3 instances will benefit one and all to rethink Easter as a whole. It's not about Easter bunnies or Easter eggs per se, but rather about the resurrection of Jesus Christ on the third day. Christ has conquered death, so that through Him, we may conquer death as well! Have a great Easter and an awesome week ahead, dudes & dudettes!!

Blessings,

~Tim~

Reframing Discipleship, Spiritual Formation, & Christian Spiritual Formation

2010-03-05T09:18:00.003+08:00

I sincerely apologise to all for the lack of updates for the past 1 month. Yes, I know, being in medical school and attached to the General Hospital here in JB does not make up for an excellent excuse to put blogging regularly on a halt, because all the knowledge I gain from my time in the hospital and studying will only contribute to the well-being and mortality rates of my patients in the future, right? =p *ironically, loves the sarcasm of life and death*

For those who don't already know, I've already endured a month of Year 3 and thus far, it's been hectic, but at the same time, enjoyable! Everything we've learned in the past 2 years has more or less played its part in helping me adapt to life in the wards, and everyday has been a new learning experience for me. Seeing "real-life" patients in "real time" is so much more different than merely practising the interviewing and physical examination skills on fellow coursemates and SPs. The best part of the Clinical Years is the fact that there are very few lectures, and I mean VERY FEW, in comparison with Year 1 & 2! Gone are the days when we had 4 to 5 lectures back to back on the same day which could span 2-3 days! No more will we have 10-15 lectures per week! =D

I recently read this Christian article which states the differences between the 3 terms: discipleship, spiritual formation, and Christian spiritual formation. The author, whom will remain anonymous for security purposes, has these words to say, "There has been much confusion about the meaning and usage of these words... These words are sometimes used interchangeably by some teachers while others offer a more nuanced definition." Below is the rest of the article which I hope will enrich the lives, or at least the minds, of those who read and are able to comprehend its meaning.

Spiritual formation is the process of forming our inner spiritual beings (soul) which manifest outwardly as our character. This is an ongoing process which starts when we are in our mother's womb and continues until we die. There are numerous influences that affect our spiritual formation which includes our cultural legacy, our childhood experiences, our ethnicity, the socio-political environments in which we live in, the dominant culture in our society, and our social interactions with other people, including our family members. Often these influences act subconsciously by a process of socialization or enculturation. In other words, all of us are undergoing spiritual formation all the time, whether we are conscious of it or not.

Christian conversion (accepting Christ) involves a change in status by our justification by faith, and of the formative regeneration of our souls (sanctification). Christian spiritual formation starts after conversion. Christian spiritual formation is the process of the redemptive inner transformation of the character of a person to reflect the character of Christ himself. There are two components to Christian spiritual formation:

the work of the Holy Spirit
the willingness of a person to follow Christ in discipleship

Christian spiritual formation is a collaborative divine-human interaction. The influences that act on Christian spiritual formation are similar to those experiences by all living human beings. Additional influences are the formative practices of the Christian faith communities (Christian education) and the Word of God.

Discipleship is the part of Christian spiritual formation where we can be actively involved in. The Holy Spirit is ever willing to be involved but respects our choices and will not force us to be disciples. Discipleship is following and obeying the teachings of Jesus Christ and in doing so, we become Christ-like in our character. Jesus summarizes this by saying that, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Luke9:23). To be his follower, Jesus points out that there is a part about denying self, and there is another part about following him. Luke helpfully gives us some essential features on discipleship. These essentials are trust (Lk 9:37-43); suffering (Lk 9:44-45); humility(Lk 9:46-50); purpose (Lk 9: 51-56); commitment (Lk 9: 57-62); involvement (Lk 10:1-20), and prayer (Lk 10:21-24). However all these need the work of the Holy Spirit if Christian spiritual formation is to take place. We cannot will or discipline our bodies into spiritual transformation.

The purpose (telos) of Christian spiritual formation is three-fold reflecting the economy of the Triune God. Christian spiritual formation is to:

restore the image of God (imago Dei) within us so that we reflect the character of Christ
form a people of God –the body of Christ
be part of God’s plan of reconciliation with all of creation (missio Dei).

Christian spiritual formation is Trinitarian in basis as it is an invitation to join in the perichoresis or eternal dance of God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

So let us embark on the journey of Christian spiritual formation, availing ourselves to the transforming work of the Holy Spirit, and intentionally becoming disciples of Jesus Christ with “informed minds, hearts on fire, and contemplative in actions” until “we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from theLord, who is the Spirit.” (2 Corinthians 3:18)

~Tim~

Tranquility: The Peace Within

2010-02-05T13:44:00.006+08:00

Aye, it's Transition Week for the 3rd year Monash MBBS students, or rather, it's coming to an end very soon. For my fellow meddies and I, it's been a long, although not-so-eventful week. Being introduced and exposed to a true clinical/hospital setting for the next two years at least has spurred mixed feelings in the hearts of many here. The majority of students here are determined to breeze through Year 3, absorbing as much information as they can while hoping that their brains don't explode on them in the process. I know that there are some who feel ready to take the new challenges ahead and try to handle whatever the world throws at them, including myself =D Still, there are the rare few who are thankful for the simple fact that they barely scraped through Year 2 and hope that they would be able to do likewise this year.

Whatever or however each of us feel inside, one thing is for sure. This is the road we chose. This is the milestone of our careers. We are here for many reasons: for some they may be for the benefit of the greater good; while there are others who are here for their own personal gain. Yet, whatever the reasons may be, the facts and protocols remain the same. As future doctors, there will be times when we have to endure whatever hardships our superiors throw at us, face difficult and tough-to-love patients, be faced with deadlines and pressure from work... and sometimes all these things may challenge our own values. The life journey of every fellow medical student here has intertwined at this crossroad in our lives, and how we handle the next few years will have a great impact on the kind of doctors we will be in the future.

Personally, I feel that no matter what happens to me this year and the years after, it happens for a reason. Somehow, I believe that everything I've been through in the last 21 years is what God intended for my life and that it has shaped and 'moulded' me into the man He wants me to be. And for that, I find a sense of tranquility even at this "mighty mountain" before me. Even though I know not what the future holds or what lies beyond that long winding road, I truly have this aura of peace inside, knowing full well that the One True God is with me. Tell me, how can one not find confidence and assurance in that fact? =)

Thence, to all those who are struggling through life's circumstances now, be it at home, the workplace, personal life, finances, etc... I urge one and all to persevere and take heart in Him who is above all things. The Author and Perfector of our faith is greater than anything the world can throw at you... in the past, present and future! Yeah, I really hope this simple reminder can reach out in time to those who really need that simple word of inspiration. All glory be to the Lord God Almighty!

Soli Deo Gloria!!

~Tim~

Here's a Quickie 4 U!

2010-01-15T00:38:00.004+08:00

Ahhh, some of you folks may be wondering why Yours Truly is on holiday, yet he never updates his blog as frequently as he should =p What's he been up to?? Before he begins anything, he'd like to thank all those who have been asking or expressing their concern as to how things have been for him here in good ol' JB... you know who you are! *hugs*

Well, here's a quick summary of what's been happening in his life since he last updated his blog. To begin with, he's been sleeping much LESS than expected during this last month of the holiday term before Year 3 of med school starts all over again. To be honest, his days, on average, begin at 11-ish and usually end at 2 to 3 at night. Yeah, enjoying whatever free time that he has left is the point... after all, what are holidays for if not to do what you never got the chance to during studying periods?

He (proudly) finished both Resident Evil 5 (on both Normal and Veteran modes) and Batman Arkham Asylum during the past one week or so. But it's only during long holiday periods when the gamer within him is unleashed for all to see and challenge! Now for the next few days, he's gonna keep himself occupied with Dragon Age: Origins!! =)

On another note, he's been doing more "home-gyming" and swimming lately. Just today, he bought an 80 ringgit 5-in-1 workout bar that can be used to do chin-ups, pull-ups, push-ups, sit-ups, dips, crunches, off-the-floor crunches and leg lifts... I guess they should call the 8-in-1 bar instead. Definitely worth the money! Oh, and the best thing is, it's very portable too!! =D

From the social point-of-view, he just got back from meeting up with his primary school classmates. Yes, for him and this special group of friends, it's already a norm to meet up at least once every year (and more times if possible) =.= If he can remember correctly, his memory tells him that he and this bunch have been doing it since Form 1 after Standard 6 where everyone parted ways. Besides that, mingling in with his church mates in S'pore has been a breeze and he has God to thank for that! XD

Yup, there it is... the update from Yours Truly! Stay tuned for more to come! Owh before I forget, I'd juz like to wish a special brother of mine, Daniel Koh, a Blessed 21st Birthday!! All the best to you this year ahead as we venture through clinical years together! Take care and God bless bro!!

~Tim~

Looking Back @ 2009; Ahead @ 2010

2010-01-01T00:00:00.000+08:00

Well folks, I don't know about you guyz, but it's been an awesome 2009 for me! There's juz so much to thank God for the year that juz passed by, and hopefully 2010 will be more or less the same (although I wouldn't mind if it was better!).

The Word of God says that we should count our blessings, naming them one by one. Phew, I don't even know where to begin. This post will be as short and sweet as possible and not my usual-length posts, which some of my frenz/readers complain are "essays" *ahem at Yin* =p

Well here it goes then...

This year (and last year where applicable), I've been blessed because:

Despite living away from home, I still had the support from family members like my aunt in KL, and the occasional visits by my relatives from JB
My parents sort of "upgraded" my Honda Accord to a Honda CRV for my 21st b'day, making it my most expensive present yet =D
I've had the privilege of getting to know many wonderful people in KL, some of whom I can call close friends who have blessed me with their company, insights and social support... you guyz know who you are =)
I had 3 separate 21st b'day celebrations that I will remember for as long as my brain can store memory of them =D
I enjoyed holidays with friends and family at local tourist hotspots like Tioman, Redang, Penang, Cameron Highlands, Genting Highlands, etc.
I had the opportunity to serve in FGT in the transport and evangelism ministries; also established bonds with the youth leaders and pastors there >.<
The gift of tongues manifested within me even greater this year, and I've never felt more Spirit-led
I was given the chance to exercise my gift of encouragement on many occasions to different people I encountered (God juz works in so many ways to build us all up =.=)
I had the opportunity to give back to the community when I donated blood to the local blood bank
Last but not least, my hard work paid off when I passed Year 2! All the sweat, blood and tears shed were not in vain. Ultimately, all glory be to God Almighty, who is in control of everything!

Of course, there are many other little things to be thankful for, but as my brain's capacity is overloaded with medical information and jargon from 2 years of med school, this list will have to do.

2010 is a new year, and like all new years, resolutions are made. I've made some already, most of them confidential and hence shall not be stated here. Have you made yours?

To one and all...

Happy New Year!!!

~Tim~

Final Sojourn Southbound & Acknowledgements

2009-12-21T19:00:00.002+08:00

Aye folks, as you may all well know, Yours Truly has left KL and is now back in his hometown to stay for at least the next 2 years or so. He left the capital city of Malaysia yesterday with a heart that goes out to the many friends that he had made there over the past 2 years. Apart from being "emo" on more than 1 occasion juz before he left (although being emo for him is a rare thing altogether), he is really grateful to have established bonds with so many people there... something he'll cherish forever. Hence, the following are acknowledgements and a form of gratitude to the people he loves there... divided into 3 main groups of people (with some overlapping into other groups but will not be repeated here). Read on to see if you're in it! =p

For starters, let's go with my fellow Monash medical students first: Grace Tay, Jun Yet Wong, Rachel Ooi, Sarah Chan, & Nicholas Hee. Yes, I know that I'll be seeing all of you in a couple of weeks time and for the next 2 years but these are the wonderful people who've been by my side through thick and thin for the past 2 years! Looking forward to attending Monash Clinical School with you guyz! Besides the common things, I am thankful to:

Grace: For making me laugh when I'm around you; for those occasional, happy, inspiring SMSes; & initiating the Snowflake outings that all of us will sorely miss in JB

JY: For the DotA/L4D(1&2)/basketball sessions; and being able to talk freely about certain personal things (e.g. those guy-guy talks; relationships)

Rachel: For being my listening ear, for the sound advice, and for the asking about how I was from time to time

Sarah: For being able to talk about personal and private matters and for entrusting me with them; for showing me the way to UM during the Physio quiz =)

Nick: For bringing out the creative side in me during the time when we were "making" your b'day present; for being someone I can relate to in more than 1 way although we don't speak much

Next up, we have the dudes (& dudettes) of FGT, a church I will always consider to be my "home" in KL. Like they say, the church is not the "building", but the "people". No doubt I received many blessings, gifts and talents here from God e.g. the gift of tongues, the ability to evangelize via EE, the opportunity to serve in the transport ministry, etc.; but more importantly, I will always remember the people who have made this church an entity to remember! Gonna miss you guys loads! I thank God for:

Suyin 'Kaede': My dearest friend in FGT, who has been by my side through the ups and downs; someone I can laugh at who will also laugh with me (or at me :p); someone I can talk to whom I know will always give good, sound advice; someone I can debate with about certain (sometimes nonsensical) issues; a reliable person whom I can trust and confide in; and someone whom I believe has the potential to be a great spiritual leader wherever she goes *hugs* Oh, she was also the BossLady at the "Watchtower"... rawr!

Wilson Soo: My fellow "co-pilot" and best bro in church; someone who can make me laugh and vice versa; and my trusted companion to the CCs in KL (FTZ, Medan, Blitz). He is also a founding member of "The Legacy". Although he is a new believer, I foresee that he has latent yet hidden potential within him. Oh, and thanx for that wonderful home-made bookmark, bro!

Leo Koo: Although I've only known this 'uncle' for 6 months or so, I can see that he has a special calling to serve where the Lord is leading him, the 365 Youth Ministry. Thanx for entrusting me with your concerns and problems, and I will continue praying that your servanthood will bear much fruit.

Abel Cheah: My CF KG leader, this year's Youth Camp commandant, my "Angel" at the CF Camp this year... born leader with the gift of leadership... what more is there to say that we don't already know about him. A strong-willed & committed brother-in-Christ, too bad ladies, he's already taken! =p Sigh, was looking forward to the showdown or re-enactment of "Angel" vs "Mortal" at this year's YC. Oh, and he's also my L4D2 buddy! =.=

Ryan Teoh: He was my EE Trainer last year; drove me to the shop where I bought an uber-AWESOME mask for the FGT Christmas Dinner, and is also a fellow DotA player.

Wui Jia: My co-trainer when we were training 2 others in EE. Continue persevering in your faith girl... the battle may be tough, but the rewards in heaven are great for those who have faith and exercise it.

Kar Kien: The "funnyman" of FGT's 365 and fellow brother-in-Christ, FKK will be remembered as well no matter where he goes to precisely because of "The Kar Kien"! =p With both his eyebrows inverted inferomedially (sorry medical jargon has to be used here =.=), this "dude" (I'm starting to doubt his gender ever since this year's camp =p) is a trendsetter in his own right!

Terence Tan: My fellow super-duper hardcore gamer friend... Enough said! Appreciate the fact that you consider me to be one of the greatest blessings in your life this year! =)

Evonne Teoh: Who could forget the person who introduced me to FGT in the first place? =p Sweetheart of both med school & 365, one that is loved by many and hard to forget. She is the person with whom I share the most mutual friends with on Facebook lolz... and that is due to the fact that she is actually in all 3 groups of people!!

Lame: My fellow Cell leader in FGT --> Future pastor with a great potential and a huge heart for people. And yes folks, that IS his name... Lame! (pronounced lah-may)

Ps. Richard & Louisa Evans: Last but not least, our very own youth pastors deserve much credit for their efforts in doing God's work and reaching out to many people all over KL and it's satellite cities. Personally, they have been my mentors throughout the 2 years I spent in KL, and I will treasure knowing them. The greatest thing I learned from them is integrity. God bless them and their family! Will be looking forward to their next visit to FGT JB in the months ahead!

Finally, there are the people from the CF in Monash who in one way or another, have made an impression on me:

Kenson Low: Fellow bro, CC companion & founding member of both "Watchtower" and "The Legacy". Had much fun with you at the CC, at parties, at CF, and those late night dinners and suppers! Thanx for seeing me off yesterday... Really appreciate it! Thanx also for the invitation to extend my stay in KL next month... We'll see how it goes yea. =)

Andrew Chua: Once joked to almost the entire CF that this fella, Li Wen & I were family juz because we shared the same surname! Fooled some people and got a laugh over it! Known to many as "The Bear" and known to some as "Boomer", if his fake Irish accent doesn't kill you, his weight on your abdomen surely will! =p Oh and never leave your Facebook account on whenever he's around, he'll make sure you suffer!

Jared, YY, Cheng Hong, Jarrod: These guys (and a girl) never backed down from a game or two of L4D2 and were one of the last few people from CF that I managed to catch a game or two with.

Japheth Chew: Known Japh since last year's CF Camp. Has a heart for God and a zeal that I hope will burn for as long as the Lord wants it to burn. He is also the new CF President... also a founding member of "Watchtower". Enjoyed the time we baked Shepherd's Pie & lasagna at your place during the "Anti-Ball party". Really appreciated your prayer for me the other day when you came over to collect your guitar.

Karl Edward: Only got to know him better towards the end of the year but he's a cool guy to be around with, partly because of his sense of humour. The last founding member of "Watchtower" and it was saved on more than 1 occasion thanks to this brother-in-Christ. =_=

And finally, last but not least, there is a special group of people to whom I will forever be eternally grateful for... my aunt and her family. If you're reading this MKKK, THANK YOU for helping me settle into a new environment in KL, for helping me get the furniture when I had to move to Sunway last year, for sending your maid to help clean my place, for providing that extra cash every month, for sending over food and drinks from time to time, and for inviting me to stay over at your place many times over the past 2 years.

Well, that's about it, folks. To all the people mentioned above, you have been a blessing to me in one way or another, no matter how big or small. Likewise, I hope that I was one-to-remember to each of you too. For all those whose names are not in this post, it's not that I have forgotten you intentionally, there's juz not enough space to put in every single person I know in KL... don't worry, you will be remembered still lolz! To one and all, I pray that the Lord will make His face shine upon you and give you all peace. I know the road ahead is unpredictable with many trials and tribulations to come, but I pray that each of you will know where you stand, and stand strong no matter what the world throws at you! Before I end this long post of gratitude, I'd like to leave you and all my readers with a piece of Scripture, taken from Colossians 3:12, "As God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience."

Enjoy your holidays while you can and Blessed Christmas & Happy New Year to one and all... in advance! =D

Blessings,

~Tim~

When Life Seems Seemingly "Impossible"

2009-12-01T23:33:00.002+08:00

I know for a fact that EVERYONE has encountered at least one "impossible" situation before in their lives... a situation that mirrors desperation... an experience that beckons to be erased from the cascades of time. Each and every human that exists or has ever existed in this fallen world has faced struggles, hardships, trials, tribulations, temptations, and the like throughout their life. There is the famous saying that goes, "What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger".

Indeed, even in the Word of God, the apostle John must have heard a dozen complaints from his fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. The believers under his leadership faced very real issues: The government was against them - taking their businesses, separating their families, even killing some of them. It must have been a temptation for them just to pull back and pull up short. However, John reminded them (and us) of the surpassing value of knowing Christ.

There are times in life when doing God's will seems like it's too hard, maybe even impossible beyond human understanding. Nevertheless, we can be encouraged knowing that there is eternal hope that is worth sacrificing everything for. In this post, I'd like to illustrate that truth via the account of the following man:

George Atley, a young Englishman with the heart of a hero, was engaged in the Central African Mission. He was attacked by a party of natives. He had with him a Winchester repeating rifle with 10 loaded chambers. The party was completely at his mercy. Calmly and quickly, he summed up the situation. He concluded that if he killed them, it would do the mission more harm than if he allowed them to take his life. So, as a lamb to the slaughter he was led; and when his body was found in the stream, his rifle was also found with its 10 chambers still loaded.

Remember folks, what happens on Earth is never the end of the story. The people thought they had silenced the influence of George Atley. Little did they know that his honorary sacrifice had exemplified his commitment to the cause and that selfless act has encouraged millions throughout history!

When life seems too difficult to bear, when it seems that God is calling you to sacrifice beyond what you think you can, just remember the eternal hope that you have in Jesus Christ. Like my favourite verse in the Bible, Proverbs 3:5-6 states... Just place all of your trust in Him and see the seeds of your faith bear fruit, my friends. =)

~Tim~

How Would YOU Define Success?

2009-11-21T22:55:00.002+08:00

I wonder how many people have actually taken a moment to sit back and think about how they would define success, let alone measure it. Think about the following questions and come up with your own answers in your heads:

What drives you?

What makes you tick?

Does success in one aspect mean that it would pave the way for future endeavours, perhaps in other aspects?

Would you strive to be even better than you are now, even if you are already the best at what you do?

Most importantly: Is God involved in your success?

I like what my fellow meddie, Daniel Koh, winner of the Manhunt event at the recent Emerge youth conference, had to say when he was given the chance to answer that question in the title of this post, in front of a 500-strong crowd during the Q&A session. Unlike the other male contestants, he kept his answer short and simple, but direct to the point he was trying to make.

Bro, if you're reading this, I'm proud of you, and I'm sure the rest of MUMedS is as well! Always knew you had it in you. This is what he said:

"To me, success is measured by staying power. It's not just about being a one-hit-wonder. It's about taking the long road and staying there. Take for instance, Madonna, who has been in the music industry for decades. Yet even today, she is still as good, if not better, as she was 20 years ago. The world can see her passion and dedication. Thank you."

So folks, let me ask you again, "How would YOU define success?"

Happy Hols!!

FEATURE: Kate Voegele - Lift Me Up

2009-11-03T14:51:00.005+08:00

The lyrics to this song are beautiful, and fitting, for a time like this when everyone is in the midst of sitting and preparing for their exams. It's the time of the year when motivation of any sort is most welcomed.

So folks, sit back, relax, and unwind on my blog while being treated to one of the most passionate and soulful voices that you will ever hear! This one's from Yours Truly to you!

(The song will auto-play after it has finished loading)

This road is anything but simple

Twisted like a riddle I've seen high and I've seen low

So loud, the voices of all my doubts

Telling me to give up, to pack up and leave town

Even so, I had to believe

Impossible means nothing to me, yeah

So can you lift me up,

Turn the ashes into flames

‘Cause I have overcome

More than words will ever say

And I've been given hope

That there's a light on up the hall

And that a day will come

When the fight is won

And I think that day has just begun

Somewhere, every body starts there

I'm counting on a small prayer,

Lost in a nightmare

But I'm here, and suddenly it's so clear

The struggle through the long years

It taught me to outrun my fears

Everything worth having, oh

Comes with trials worth withstanding

So can you lift me up,

Turn the ashes into flames

‘Cause I have overcome

More than words will ever say

And I've been given hope

That there's a light on up the hall

And that a day will come

When the fight is won

And I think that day has just begun

Oh, lift me up

Lift me up

Oh, Lift me up

Down and out is overrated

And I need to be elevated

Looking up is not enough

No, I would rather rise above

So can you lift me up,

Turn the ashes into flames

‘Cause I have overcome

More than words will ever say

And I've been given hope

That there's a light on up the hall

And that a day will come

When the fight is won

And I think that day has just begun

Oh, oh, oh, just begun

Lift me up, yeah, oh, oh, oh, yeah, now

Oh, oh, lift me up

Lift me up

His Perfect Plan

2009-10-30T23:35:00.007+08:00

For my med school mates and I, exams are coming up in a week, and most of us are busy preparing for it. No one in med school wants to take the "Supps" (colloquial term for supplementary exams), let alone repeat Year 2. Everyone's basically looking forward to going to JB next year for our clinical attachment at the GH there. Let's not forget those in other courses who are also in the same predicament as well (and are often stereotyped to have a lot less to study compared to us for that matter). Anyhow, regardless of the amount of studying or books required to be read by each faculty, the feeling and aura here at Monash is mutual. Some (if not most) of the Monashians here have already felt or experienced pre-exam jitters, wrestling to keep both their private and professional personalities in check. Time management and prioritizing are of utmost importance during this critical period of the year!

Somehow, being caught up in all the hustle-&-bustle of preparing for both the written examinations and OSCEs (our practical examinations) has led many of us to abandon our usual routine of daily living. Packed lunches and dinners or ordering food into the university has been the norm for many students who stay back late into the night just to mug. In extreme cases, some have even skipped eating during their regular mealtimes or have given up on exercise temporarily. I even know of some students who haven't slept in days!!

On a more personal note, I've given up many of my usual activities just to fit in more study time into my already busy schedule... the one most worth mentioning is the spiritual aspect of it. I have to admit, lately I've been a little distant from God, giving up going for 365 for a month already, as well as not attending the occasional Prayer Meeting (PM) on some Friday evenings. I've even skipped my weekly Cell meetings a couple of times already. Don't worry or get me wrong, I'm not backsliding or anything of that sort. I still attend the Sunday services every week and do my regular Quiet Time. It's just that the pressure to do well for the finals has somewhat clouded my judgement and got the better of me at times.

For me, worshipping God has been one of the most enjoyable parts of going for spiritual meetings like 365 and PMs, but as mentioned earlier, it has not been done as often as before lately. When they say that things just somehow fall into place when you believe that God has a plan for your life, you'd better believe it! Somehow today, while studying, I felt God prompting me to attend PM. This took place when I was studying with a bunch of people in Monash. One of them was my close friend Suyin, who reminded me to put God first when she knew that I was contemplating whether to go for it or not. Despite having that internal struggle (due to what seemed like a never-ending pile of texts to read for the exams), a voice inside told me to go for it and reminded me to trust God. Thus, my mind was made up... I took that leap forward and decided to attend it tonight.

But for those who think the story ends here, it doesn't.

So, the story continues... After dinner, Yin & I headed for PM in my car. But alas, the jam at the Summit area on the way to church was a "killer". Upon seeing the long lines, and somewhat clusters, of cars, we both knew that we were going to be late for PM, and somehow predicted that worship would be over by the time we arrived in church. We were right. It took us literally 45 minutes just to get out of the massive jam there and arrive in church.

However, 2 good things came out of this during the jam.

(Always be optimistic & look on the bright side, Tim!)

The first: We got to sing along to some of our favourite worship songs in my car, from time to time. Just singing out loud in the car together reminded me of the simple truth that worshipping God didn't only mean that it had to be confined to a religious building like the church. What mattered was where our hearts were at that time, and whether we meant what we were singing.

"If you can't bring yourself to the place of worship, you bring the place of worship to you!"

The second: We both got to have this really long chat that we had not had in what seemed like eternity =) ... Sigh, blame it on exams! Talking to her had always been fun, with that occasional inside joke here and there, and this time was no different. I also appreciated her occasional opinions and insights that got me to think twice about certain things, especially when she told me that Arts students at Monash had just as much work as their Medical counterparts there with their assignments and reports.

"Thanx a bunch, Yin!" *hugs*

All in all, despite arriving late, today's PM was meaningful in more ways than one. Our senior pastor spoke on something that went something like, "If God calls you to accept 5 offers, don't just accept 1. Take them all! Be fruitful and multiply!" It was also good praying together with familiar and friendly faces during this divine appointment, praying in particular for Project Hebron & the Eagles' Dialysis Centre (EDC). In addition to this, we also got to hear a church member's testimony, who casted out a demon in the name of Jesus, a joyous occasion in the house of God which received a thunderous, resounding applause after it was shared. After PM ended, I had the opportunity to also catch up with friends from 365 whom I had not seen in a month or so.

Hence, it can be concluded that today was a productive one: academically, spiritually, socially, mentally, and now physically (gonna do my work-out now).

All glory be to our Lord God Almighty, author and perfecter of our faith!!

Soli Deo Gloria,

~Tim~

Everyone's a Citizen of Procrasti-Nation! [Part 2]

2009-10-20T17:55:00.006+08:00

I know some (or most) of you peeps are waiting earnestly for the continuation of my previous post. Over the past 7 days or so, you probably checked back here more than once a day to see if I've updated my blog, but did you realise that you were procrastinating in the process? =p Sad to say, blog-hopping and mindless Facebook-profile-stalking are just two examples of the common procrastinator's habits. =D Thus, *drum rolls*, I've prepared some strategies to help you combat your procrastination tendencies. However, before we get there, you need to know how you procrastinate... because it can be tough to tell when you are doing it. Too often, we don't even realize that we are procrastinating — until it's too late.

How do you procrastinate?

Try to ignore the task, hoping against hope that it will go away?
Over- or under-estimate the degree of difficulty that the task involves?
Minimize the impact that your performance now may have on your future?
Substitute something important for something really important? (For example, cleaning instead of studying or doing your assignment(s).)
Let a short break become a long one, or an evening in which you do no work at all? (For example, claiming that you are going to watch TV for ½ hour, then watching it all night.)
Focus on one part of your studies/assignment(s), at the expense of the rest?

Create a productive environment.

Find a place to work where you have at least half a chance of actually getting some work done.
If you have a laptop computer, try going someplace where you can't connect to the Internet (e-mail and the Web are the bane of the procrastinator's existence—as you probably already know).
If you are a procrastinator, then chances are you are already pretty exasperated; don't risk frustrating yourself even more by trying to write in an environment that doesn't meet your needs.
Consider when you will write. When are you most alert? Try to schedule writing time when you know you will be at your best.

Break it down.

The moment you get the assignment (ideally), or shortly thereafter, break the writing assignment up into the smallest possible chunks.
This is the concept of mind over matter i.e. the paper never has a chance to take on gargantuan proportions in your mind

Get a new attitude.

Changing our attitude toward the task, when possible, may go a long way toward keeping us from procrastinating.
Tell yourself that the task isn't so bad or difficult, that you either know how to do it, or that you can learn how while you're doing it.
Start early on a particular assignment; simply starting to write can often help us feel more positive about writing.

Ask for help.

Get an anti-procrastination coach: from the supportive people in your life. Tell someone about your writing goal and timeline, and ask them to help you determine whether or not your plan is realistic.
Get an accountability buddy. See if you can find a friend to work alongside you.
For assignments, get help with your writing if you think you are a weak writer. Ask someone (a Writing Center tutor, a current or former professor or teaching assistant, a friend) to help you improve.

Get unblocked.
Sometimes, we procrastinate because we feel "stuck" when studying a particular subject or when working on a particular section of an assignment. If this happens, you have 2 options:

Write the easiest part first. You don't have to start at the beginning. Whatever section you can do, do it! If you think that's wimpy, and you would rather do the hardest part first so that you can get it out of the way, that's fine—whatever works for you. If you start writing and you get stuck, write about why you're stuck.
Talk it out. Try tape-recording yourself speaking the ideas you want to include in the paper, and then transcribe the tape.

Get some fresh air to clear your head.

Personally, I take occasional walks around Monash in between studying or doing assignments whenever I feel the need to; be it for the change of scenery or the fresh breeze available outside the med lab/library.
Exercise frequently or as often as you can!

Leave your work out

Keeping your work (books, notes, etc.) physically out, in full view, gives you a reminder that you are either need to study, are in the middle of an assignment, or both.
The fact remains that you may also need to start doing work.
Also, if you write in more than one shift, it can be helpful to leave off in the middle of a paragraph and leave your 'tools' where they are. When you return to the paper, you'll be able to "warm up" by finishing that paragraph. Starting a new section cold may be more difficult.

That's all I'll leave with you folks for now. Rest assured that if requested by popular demand, I will write Part 3. =) Till then... tata & take care!

p.s. All the best to those sitting for their exams in the next few weeks!! It is a critical period of the year for all Monashians especially, so STOP procrastinating people!! Finish all those dreaded assignments and study to da max!!

~Tim~

Everyone's a Citizen of Procrasti-Nation! [Part 1]

2009-10-12T23:05:00.001+08:00

Everyone procrastinates. We put things off because we don't want to do them, or because we have too many other "more important" things on our minds. Putting things off—big or small—is part of being human. Some of us love the rush of adrenaline we get when we finish an assignment 10 minutes before it's due. Still, there are those of us who love staying up late into the night with the intention of finishing that major report due at the end of the week, but we never really got started on it. Truth be told, you (and your body) are getting tired of pulling all-nighters. You feel okay about procrastinating while in college and university, but you worry that this habit will follow you into your working life.

You can tell whether or not you need to do something about your procrastination by examining its consequences. Procrastination can have external consequences (you get a zero on the paper because you never turned it in) or internal consequences (you feel anxious much of the time, even when you are doing something that you enjoy). If you put off washing the dishes, but the dishes don't bother you, who cares? When your procrastination leaves you feeling discouraged and overburdened, however, it is time to take action.

If you think you are a hopeless procrastinator, take heart! No one is beyond help. Procrastination is a habit that has some specific origin, and it is a habit that you can overcome. However, there are no quick fixes... you aren't going to wake up tomorrow and never procrastinate again. But you might wake up tomorrow and do one or two simple things that will help you finish that draft a little earlier or with less stress.

You may not be surprised to learn that procrastinators tend to be self-critical. So, as you consider your procrastination and struggle to develop different work habits, try to be gentle with yourself. Punishing yourself every time you realize you have put something off WILL NOT help you change. Rewarding yourself when you make progress WILL.

Taking the time to learn about why you procrastinate may help you avoid the cycle whereby you promise yourself that you will never procrastinate again, only to find that the next time you have a paper due, you are up until 3 a.m. trying to complete the first (and only) draft—without knowing why or how you got there. Some of the reasons that people procrastinate include the following:

Because we are afraid.

Fear of failure: If you are scared that a particular piece of writing isn't going to turn out well, then you may avoid working on it in order to avoid feeling the fear.
Fear of success: Some procrastinators fear that if they start working at their full capacity, they will turn into workaholics. Since we procrastinate compulsively, we assume that we will also write compulsively; we envision ourselves locked in a library or personal workstation, hunched over the computer, barely eating and sleeping and never seeing friends or going out. The procrastinator who fears success may also assume that if they work too hard, they will become mean and cold to the people around them, thus losing their capacity to be friendly and to have fun. Finally, this type of procrastinator may think that if they stop procrastinating, then they will start writing better, which will increase other people's expectations, thus ultimately increasing the amount of pressure they experience.
Fear of losing autonomy: Some people delay writing projects as a way of maintaining their independence. When they receive a writing assignment, they procrastinate as a way of saying, "You can't make me do this... I am my own person." Procrastinating helps them feel more in control of situations in which they believe that other people have authority.
Fear of being alone: Other writers procrastinate because they want to feel constantly connected to other people. For instance, you may procrastinate until you are in such a bind that someone has to come and rescue you. Procrastination therefore ensures that other people will be involved in your life. You may also put off writing because you don't want to be alone, and doing written assignments is often a solitary activity. In its worst form, procrastination itself can become a companion, constantly reminding you of all that you have to do.
Fear of attachment: Rather than fearing separation, some people procrastinate in order to create a barrier between themselves and others. They may delay in order to create chaos in their lives, believing that the chaos will keep other people away.

Because we expect ourselves to be perfect [this one applies to me =)]

Procrastination and perfectionism often go hand in hand. Perfectionists tend to procrastinate because they expect so much of themselves, and they are scared about whether or not they can meet those high standards. Perfectionists sometimes think that it is better to give a half-hearted effort and maintain the belief that they could have written a great paper, than to give a full effort and risk writing a mediocre paper. Procrastinating guarantees failure, but it helps perfectionists maintain their belief that they could have excelled if they had tried harder. Another pitfall for perfectionists is that they tend to ignore progress toward a goal. As long as the writing project is incomplete, they feel as though they aren't getting anywhere, rather than recognizing that each paragraph moves them closer to a finished product.

Because we don't like our writing.

You may procrastinate on writing because you don't like to re-read what you have written; you hate writing a first draft and then being forced to evaluate it, in all its imperfection. By procrastinating, you ensure that you don't have time to read over your work, thus avoiding that uncomfortable moment.

Because we're too busy.

Practical concerns. No elaboration required here.

Because it works.

Unfortunately, procrastination helps reinforce itself. When we avoid doing something we dread (like writing) by doing something we enjoy (such as watching a movie, hanging out with friends, etc.), we escape the dreaded task. Given such a choice, it's no wonder that many of us choose to procrastinate. When we write a paper at the last minute and still manage to get a good grade, we feel all the more compelled to procrastinate next time around.

In my next post, I will write more about procrastination and what you can do (and should do) about your procrastination tendencies, which can be applicable now and in the future. Hopefully, I will not procrastinate and delay the process myself! =p

p.s. Btw, check out the "Procrastination Flow Chart" that I "extracted" from my fellow med school mate that I posted on Facebook here! Enjoy!!

~Tim~

Phantom Bonds

2009-10-05T20:50:00.002+08:00

Science can explain how a glass filled with solid ice only can just dissolve into water when left out in the open. At the same time, that same glass of ice will remain in the same physical state when it is placed in a freezer. The outcomes in both scenarios are all dependent on one thing, the environment. Those fortunate enough to be bestowed with scientifically-inclined minds would know that this physical phenomena, the alteration of physical states between matter, is merely a change in molecular bonding because of the change in the surrounding temperature. This example is just based on a combination of basic fundamental science and applied common sense, and I emphasize BASIC here.

The truth is, human bonds, a much more COMPLEX entity altogether, is derived out of love for another human being. It is seemingly harder to grasp, and some say that it's hard to comprehend the full extent of what they call the greatest feeling of all. Yet at the same time, it's funny how relationships and friendships built over months and years can just change in a matter of days and weeks. In the blink of an eye, the human affection between two individuals can just change and disappear forever. In a heartbeat, all the sweet, uncountable memories shared between friends, lovers, and even family members, can be erased by the bitterness of frail and tense misunderstandings. When that happens, most people would 'suddenly' develop inflated egos and live in denial by saying that it wasn't their fault and that they did nothing to jeopardize the relationship or friendship.

However, if you were to experience the situation above, you should be asking yourself the following question instead, "Is this bond between you and this other person worth saving?"

~Tim~

FEATURE: Fat Theology

2009-10-02T09:11:00.001+08:00

And God populated the earth with broccoli and cauliflower and spinach, green and yellow vegetable of all kinds, so Man and Woman would live long and healthy lives.

And Satan created McDonald's. And McDonald's brought forth the 99-cent double-cheeseburger. And Satan said to Man, "You want fries with that?"

And Man said, "Super size them." And Man gained pounds.

And God created the healthful yogurt, that woman might keep her figure that man found so fair.

And Satan brought forth chocolate. And woman gained pounds.

And God said, "Try my crispy fresh salad."

And Satan brought forth ice cream. And woman gained pounds.

And God said, "I have sent your heart healthy vegetables and olive oil with which to cook them."

And Satan brought forth chicken-fried steak so big it needed its own platter.

And Man gained pounds and his bad cholesterol went through the roof.

And God brought forth running shoes and Man resolved to lose those extra pounds.

And Satan brought forth cable TV with remote control so Man would not have to toil to change channels between ESPN and ESPN2.

And Man gained pounds.

And God said, "You're running up the score, Devil."

And God brought forth the potato, a vegetable naturally low in fat and brimming with nutrition.

And Satan peeled off the healthful skin and sliced the starchy center into chips and deep-fat fried them. And he created sour cream dip also.

And Man clutched his remote control and ate the potato chips swaddled in cholesterol.

And Satan saw and said, "It is good."

And Man went into cardiac arrest.

And God sighed and created quadruple bypass surgery.

And Satan created HMOs.

p.s. Btw, check out the updated jokes section in the column on the right for more laughs! =D

The Lost Symbol

2009-09-30T18:05:00.004+08:00

Yes folks, Dan Brown's latest thriller-novel is out! Or rather, it has been out for a good 2 weeks already, but I just finished reading it yesterday coz I only unwrapped the packaging and unveiled this juicy, "cryptic" book a few days ago due to the tumultuous frenzy and hustle-and-bustle of med school life!

Don't worry, this post is not going to be a spoiler... nor is it going to be anywhere near it! Briefly, this good 500 plus page-turner is suspense-filled on every level for most of the plot, and once you start reading it, you won't want to put it down, EVER! (And even then, I think I'm selling it short!) New York Times praised the book as being "impossible to put down" and claimed Brown is "bringing sexy back to a genre that had been left for dead (or L4D-ed =D)". Fans claim that it is essentially brain candy for the "initiated", as there are lots of references to historical places, symbols, religion, mysticism, science and so on. Brown loves showing us places where our carefully tended cultural boundaries — between Christian and pagan, sacred and secular, ancient and modern — are actually extraordinarily messy. WARNING: Again, as with many of Brown's previous novels, there is a great need to be able to discern the facts of reality from the frailty of fiction when reading this book, especially when it involves the Christian faith. Still, the book provides insights and challenges its readers to think and ponder over controversial issues. Don't say you weren't warned!

Anyway, let me juz give you folks a brief summary about the book. This is the 3rd Brown novel to involve the character of Robert Langdon, a Harvard University symbologist that many fans have grown to love from his first two books. Brown even put a disclaimer at the beginning of the novel stating that many institutions and places referenced in the book are non-fictional. Again, he proves his genius lies in uncovering odd facts and suppressed history. Unlike his previous books (The Da Vinci Code, Angels & Demons) where most of the scenarios takes place outside the United States (e.g. the Vatican, Paris), the setting of the story takes readers on a breathtaking journey that many fans will deem "closer to home": the most powerful capital city in the world, Washington D.C.

So for those who have not laid their hands on the book yet, I truly wonder whether your gluteus maximus' muscle functioning needs to be examined! On its first day (15 September 09), the book sold one million in hardcover and e-book versions in the U.S., the U.K. and Canada, making it the fastest selling adult novel in history! After only 10 days in the market, it topped the New York Times Best Seller list for hardcover fiction.

There is a famous saying: Time and tide waits for no man... Go get it now!

~Tim~

Of Being a Perfectionist & an All-rounder... At the Same Time

2009-09-21T21:05:00.002+08:00

There is a saying which goes, "In life, it would benefit one to learn something about everything, and everything about something". Ever since my secondary school years, I've aspired to strive for excellence in all and every aspect of my life. Even now, many close family members and friends would agree that my personality encompasses two very prominent traits... The perfectionist and the all-rounder. Don't get me wrong, or pass this off as simple naivety. I know I am not perfect, nor will I ever be. Still, I wanted to be good in everything I came across. No, allow me to correct myself. I wanted to be the BEST in everything I did. I wanted to be better than anyone else academically. I wanted to work hard to acquire that buff physique that most jocks possess that I could be proud of. I wanted to be good in every sport I could lay my hands on. I wanted to be well-liked and popular. I knew for a fact that all my needs (NOT wants) were met because my family was a pretty well-to-do one financially. I wanted to be 'invincible' emotionally; to never let the small things in life bug me, or allow other people to put me down. I wanted to learn and, if possible, master the piano, guitar and drums. And last but not least, I wanted to be rooted in the Word of God so I could live out my life for Him and that others would see His influence on my life.

Perhaps it was the 'kiasu' mentality that had stuck to my psyche ever since I picked up and read those Singapore-syllabus-based Science and Mathematics textbooks back in primary school. Or maybe it was the continuous motivation from my parents that kept ringing in my head telling me to do my best during ongoing tests and exams; and that healthy competition among my peers was a good thing. At the same time, it reminded me of a truth that many parents neglect to tell their children... the simple reminder that both my parents believed in me and wanted to see me excel, but more importantly, that they loved me all the same no matter what the outcome was. My parents never had to nag me to study, because I would be self-motivated to do the things that needed doing. Whatever it was, I could never remember a time when I actually suffered academically, or failed any paper in a major exam. Just recently, I was reminded of how blessed I am for having such loving and caring parents. After hearing descriptions of the tense family situations that some of my close friends face at home, I can truly say that I am grateful and thankful to the Lord for giving me such wonderful parents.

Thank you Mum & Dad!

For always being there for me...
For loving and caring for me so wholeheartedly...
For guiding and showing me the difference between right and wrong...
For being patient with me...
For giving me advice when I needed it...
For rebuking me when I did something wrong or unacceptable...
For punishing me so I would not repeat the same mistakes...
For teaching me humility and selflessness... and most importantly,
For believing in me!

I love you both very much!

Of course, I would not have done it or made it this far if it were not for the grace of God in my life. For that, I am eternally thankful to my personal Lord & Saviour, Jesus Christ, who has given me a purpose, a hope, and a destiny. All glory be to our Lord God Almighty!

Forgive me for digressing. As mentioned above, I am very much, or at least try to be, both a perfectionist and an all-rounder at the same time. However recently, I've been pondering. Is it possible to be both a perfectionist and an all-rounder in the vast field of medicine? Maybe I can't be both at the same time. Maybe what I need is a paradigm shift of some sort. At this point, it is probably wise to give you an example by relating this to the medical field so you can see where I am coming from and gain a better understanding of the point I'm trying to make here. In almost all cases, a doctor who is a specialist is said to have perfected everything there is to know in his or her chosen field of specialty. Naturally over long periods of time, specialists would be less competent in other fields, and in some cases, if uninformed or unaware, know nothing about some very new sub-specialties. How then can this doctor be an all-rounder? Likewise on the contrary, a General Practitioner (or GP) is someone who professes to be good at, or know a lot about, medicine as a whole. Is it humanly possible, for a GP to be perfect in his or her knowledge about everything?

Do you see my dilemma? Do you NOW see why there is a problem here? In the future as I advance in my career, do I have to select between being either a perfectionist or an all-rounder, or can I have the luxury of being both?

Anyway, those are just my thoughts. Whatever the case, I am still learning, as always. =)

Soli Deo Gloria.

~Tim~

Spiritual Discernment and Decision Making

2009-09-11T00:09:00.003+08:00

One day a young fugitive, trying to hide himself from the enemy, entered a small village. The people were kind to him and offered him a place to stay. But when the soldiers who sought the fugitive asked where he was hiding, everyone became very fearful. The soldiers threatened to burn the village and kill every person in it unless the young man was handed to them before dawn. The people went to the Pastor and asked him what to do. Torn between handing over the boy to the enemy and having his people killed, the Pastor withdrew to his room and read his Bible, hoping to find an answer before dawn. In the early morning, his eyes fell on these words, “It is better that one man dies than that the whole people be lost.”

Then the Pastor closed the Bible, called the soldiers, and told them where the boy was hidden. And after the soldiers took the fugitive away to be killed, there was a feast in the village because the Pastor has saved the lives of the people. But the Pastor did not celebrate. Overcome with a deep sadness, he remained in his room. That night an angel came to him and asked, “What have you done?” He said: “I handed over the fugitive to the enemy.” Then the angel said: “But don’t you know that you have handed over the Messiah?” “How could I know?” the Pastor replied anxiously. Then the angel said; “If, instead of reading your Bible, you had visited this young man just once and looked into his eyes, you would have known.”

What would you have done if you were this Pastor? Would you consider it justifiable that one man should be sacrificed for the lives of the whole village? Would you have felt that you have obeyed God by letting the Bible speak to you this way? Our first impression is that the Pastor did right. Is he not considerate of his village? Did he not seek the will of God through his Word? Is it not better that one should die so that others may live; especially if the one who is to die is a stranger? In fact he should be commended for his wisdom and piety.

However the angel was not happy. The fugitive is the long awaited Messiah. The Pastor asked a question which millions of people before him have asked since they nailed the Prince of Peace onto a wooden cross to die, “How could I know?” Would it have made a difference if he has known earlier? Of course it would. He would have been willing sacrifice himself and his village for the Messiah... or would he?

I believe that the Pastor had already made up his mind to save himself and his village even before his deliberation. He had already decided that the fugitive, this outsider, should be sacrificed for the greater good. His deliberation was just to find reasons to justify his actions. He agonised in prayer and in his meditation throughout the night, but just could not find the peace, until a random passage in the Bible confirmed what he had already decided. That would have explained why he did not go to meet the fugitive. It was a small village. Could it be that he was unable to meet the person he had already condemned? On hearing about the arrival of this fugitive, he would had already resolved to give up to the soldiers whom he knew were on the heels of this fugitive.

The Pastor’s greatest weakness is his failure to see that all men reflect the face of God and are all of equal value. If he did, he would no more be willing to give up the fugitive to the enemy as he would give up any of his villagers. His second failure was to make up his mind first and then seek God’s counsel.

I wonder how often in our lives have we decided upon a course of action first, and then ask God to justify our actions? Having made up our mind, we would spend days, months and years in a struggle with God, and our conscience looking for confirmation and justification. We would interpret all circumstances and events to support our decision. We accept only the counsel of people who say what we want to hear. And we pick from the Bible passages that agree with our assessment while rejecting the rest. We suppress the quiet voice of the Holy Spirit and our conscience, resisting the sense of unease, and sometimes attributing it to spiritual warfare. We believe that the strong impression that we sense in our heart are a confirmation from the Lord, not suspecting that our hearts are capable of great self-deception. Then we proceed with the course of action, convincing others that it is God’s will or even worst that we speak for God. The result of this is often catastrophic. People are hurt, ministries disrupted, and our souls are severe injured. What is not of God will not endure.

So when we want to discern the will of God, let us be honest. Let us truly seek his wisdom and counsel and be open to listen and accept his guidance. We need to move into a place of solitude as Jesus did in the garden of Gethsemane to listen. There is the need to fast and pray; disciplining our bodies so that we can be open to God. We need to adopt the attitude of listening to the whole counsel of God from the Bible, not just selected verses. Listening also involves hearing the voice of the Holy Spirit speaking into our lives and by the Spirit through the mind of God, understand the circumstances and events in our lives. Spiritual decision making is not testing God as Gideon did with his fleeces. Last but not least, let us listen to the discernment and thoughts of our fellow Christians in our community. We share the same baptism and the same Spirit. If the Spirit has spoken to us, then he would have spoken to others too. If the other members of our community of faith do not agree with our plan of action, it would be wise to stop and take stock.

There is a great need for Christians to learn spiritual discernment. For too long, we have leaned unto our own understanding, using our minds to make decisions, and to discern a course of action. We must avoid what the Pastor has discovered. What seems right in our own eyes may not be right at all. We all need spiritual sight in our discernment. Let us beware that we do not unintentionally crucify Jesus again.

~Tim~

The Rainbow

2009-09-01T23:26:00.003+08:00

He looked at the rainbow, knowing full well that its beauty surpassed that of everything else in nature. Its majestic presence, a rare sight after the heavy rain, that presented itself only to those who were looking for it, to those who knew where to look, and to those who knew that once they found it, it would certainly change their lives forever.

For him, it was not something that he fell in love with at first sight. He had seen many “others” like it, but this one, this one had a natural, surreal beauty of its own. This rainbow was special, he saw an “inner core” of beauty, candour, and elegance that he had never seen before in any other. This rainbow had a radiance that brought glimmers and rays of hope to all who were fortunate enough to be graced by its presence. He understood that it signified something peaceful, something optimistic that blessed his soul and spirit, even after having endured and experienced a tumultuous thunderstorm of sorts. Surprisingly, as it were with this rainbow, he could not help but notice that its purple arc was more pronounced than that of the other colours.

Deep down, he knew what he wanted… this rainbow. In his mind, he could recall a famous belief that stated that there is a pot of gold at the end of every rainbow. But to him, this particular rainbow was worth more to him than all the riches of this world, more valuable than anything the world had to offer.

Unfortunately, he knew that it was inevitable. It was of no use going against the laws of nature. He knew that although the rainbow was strong-willed and free-spirited inside, it would not be enough to face the forces of nature. Being an abstract phenomenon in the world of physics, it was only logical that the rainbow would eventually disappear under normal circumstances. It would vanish into thin air, the same rainbow never to be seen or heard of again.

Still, he wanted to make a difference, to BE the difference.

If he were granted one wish somehow, it would be so that the rainbow before him would never fade away. It would truly take a miracle to stop that from ever happening. Some would call it faith. He bowed his head in humility to pray. He adored this rainbow, but he knew he had to let it go… only because he had to go first.

The Importance of Promises

2009-08-29T00:57:00.002+08:00

Life is just so unpredictable sometimes. At one point, you may be feeling on top of the world. Another, it just seems like everything you’ve worked for, everything you dreamed of, everything you desire… just crumbles and falls apart right in front of you.

You build your world around your family and friends. After all, in the debate between nature versus nurture, it is ironic that both entities play very crucial roles in shaping one’s values, ideals, beliefs, principles, behaviour and attitude.

Human beings are social creatures. Whatever you want to call it: socializing, fraternizing, gossiping, chatting, hooking up, etc… it is undeniably true that communication plays a vital role in establishing a “connection” between 2 or more people. Consequently over time, you place your trust and confide in the people who are close to you… you make promises, you tell secrets, you are acclimatised to their company, etc. By doing this, you are hoping that the bond and the confidentiality clause, that is usually the essence of any friendship or relationship between two individuals, would be sufficient enough for both parties to not breach the trust of the other person. You are hoping the other individual will not let you down and be there for you through thick and thin.

However, the paradigm shifts when the friendship or relationship is put to the test. Every one of them has a limit, what one would call a “breaking point”. Fragile ones are the first to succumb, followed by the more stable, definitive ones. Even the strongest friendships or relationships will fall when the basic instinct of survival comes into play. In the end, it is the selfish nature of mankind, a fallen race, that will ultimately lead us all to our own destruction.

Yet, somewhere people still make and keep promises. They choose not to quit when the going gets rough because they promised once to see it through. They stick to lost causes. They hold on to a love grown cold. They stay with people who have become pains in the neck. They still dare to make promises and care enough to keep the promises they make.

I want to say to you that if you have a ship you will not desert, if you have people you will not forsake, if you have causes you will not abandon, then you are like God.

The commitment to keep promises protects families and friendships. Taking promises too casually creates disillusionment and fear. Honouring promises made to another will honour oneself too.

I want the people in my life to know that I will keep my promises as much as I can with the strength imbued in me by the power of the Holy Spirit. I expect them to do the same too, even though sometimes we may fail. =) God bless us all as we pray and seek His will on this issue together!

~Tim~

The Socrates Test

2009-08-11T11:05:00.000+08:00

In ancient Greece (469 - 399 BC), Socrates was widely lauded for his wisdom. One day the great philosopher came upon an acquaintance who ran up to him excitedly and said, "Socrates, do you know what I just heard about one of your students?"

"Wait a moment," Socrates replied. "Before you tell me I'd like you to pass a little test. It's called the Test of Three."

"Test of Three?"

"That's right," Socrates continued. "Before you talk to me about my student let's take a moment to test what you're going to say. The first test is Truth.
Have you made absolutely sure that what you are about to tell me is true?"
"No," the man said, "actually I just heard about It."
"All right," said Socrates. "So you don't really know if it's true or not.

Now let's try the second test, the test of Goodness. Is what you are about to tell me about my student something good?"

"No, on the contrary..." "So," Socrates continued, "you want to tell me something bad about him even though you're not certain it's true?" The man shrugged, a little embarrassed.

Socrates continued. "You may still pass though, because there is a third test - the filter of Usefulness.
Is what you want to tell me about my student going to be useful to me?"
"No, not really."

"Well," concluded Socrates, "if what you want to tell me is neither True nor Good nor even Useful, why tell it to me at all?" The man was defeated and ashamed.

This is the reason Socrates was a great philosopher and held in such high esteem.

===============================================

Sometimes, we tend to hear things about other people from others, but that is exactly why we need to know which voice to listen to: the Good, the Bad, or the Ugly. There will be times when even the closest people to us will tend to hurt us, whether intentionally or unintentionally, but if the relationship/friendship has been built on strong, unshakable trust, then it is definitely worth saving! Unless proven otherwise, give each one a chance to voice his or her opinions before passing judgment. Everyone deserves a second chance at something, and this can be seen more clearly by Christ's obedient act more than 2000 years ago.We did not deserve Jesus' sacrifice on the Cross, but it is by Grace we have been saved! We have inevitably been given... a second chance... our God is the God of Second Chances!

Jesus, help me to make the right decisions in life, especially when it involves the many people I cherish and love. Help me to open up my ears to what is true, to what is good, and to what is useful, both for myself and for Your kingdom. Help me to seek Your will in everything I do and glorify Your name!

~Tim~

FEATURE: Awesome Sketches!

2009-07-31T22:41:00.005+08:00

If you guys/galz think you can sketch or draw, check these sketches out! They will mesmerize you!

I'd juz like to say this to a certain, special someone, you know who you are... This post is dedicated especially to you, to make you smile even in this time of frustration! You're NOT stupid! You juz need more time to consolidate the facts in your syllabus, and in time, you will get it, I really believe that! You're stronger and smarter than you think dear!

I believe in you! I trust you the same way that you've always trusted me! Been praying for you a lot, and for a lot of things concerning you. Thanx for opening up to me, dear! Thanx for always being there for me at the right time! Thanx for being my angel and calling me yours too! *hugs*

~Tim~

The Trinity: The Only 3-in-1 You'll Ever Need!

2009-07-16T23:11:00.000+08:00

The Christian doctrine of the Trinity teaches the unity of Father, Son & Holy Spirit as 3 persons in 1 Godhead. Each of the persons is understood as having one identical essence or nature. not merely similar natures. The members of the Trinity are said to be co-equal and co-eternal, one in essence, nature, power, action, and will. All three are eternal with no beginning. It is one of the hardest concepts to grasp in Christianity... even for seasoned scholars of Christian theology.

If you're looking for a complete and thorough understanding of the Trinity, look elsewhere! This post isn't meant to cover it in detail, but merely to reiterate the fact that it does exist, or in this case, co-exist. However, I was rambling around with my personal Christian Database of Information (CDI)... and I came across this interesting conversation involving the 3 persons of the Trinity and the angels in heaven. Juz thought I'd wanna share it with you.. since it's simple to understand and defines the individual roles of each of the persons in the Trinity. So enjoy!

God: Angels, do you know what I was just thinking about?

Angels: Of course not! What were you thinking about, Sir?

God: Christians seem to have forgotten what kind of power they have available and the Devil keeps on deceiving them!

Angels: Sir, what exactly are you getting at?

God: I have made My children in such a way that when the world is sitting, they would be standing... When the world is standing, they would stand out... When the world stands out, My children must be outstanding... And when the devil dares the world to be outstanding, My people will be the standards to be used!

Jesus: They (Christians) are also forgetting the words in Ephesians 1:3

God: Please read it out!

Angels: Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly places with every spiritual blessing in Christ! So what do we do now since the end is almost near?

Holy Spirit: My presence is still among men and I will teach and remind the Christians of all that we have discussed.

Jesus: I will also continue interceding for them and stand in for them even in their weaknesses.

God: I will make sure that I give to all those who ask of Me, seek Me, and try to find Me. The blessings I have promised them through My Son, Jesus Christ will be delivered to all those who discover that I, Jehovah, am ready to bless them! Not because of any special things that they have done, but just because I love them!

Jesus: I will also give all My followers who are willing to carry out My will, the strength to carry on!

Angels: We are all backing the Trinity, and even the devil cannot stop us!

Blessings,
~Tim~

Monash CF Camp 2009

2009-07-13T00:42:00.014+08:00

Monash CF Camp 2009 may be over, but the wonderful memories and lessons I learnt from the camp still linger on! The 4 days of self-discovery was worth every second... and I know a good many of you who attended the camp wished it never had to end!

The theme of this year's CF camp was "Lego Me Brother!", a phrase synonymous with the notions of ego suicide, sacrifice, grace, forgiveness and consecration among our brothers- and -sisters-in-Christ. Luke 17:3-4 clearly talks about the importance of forgiveness and rebuking a sibling-in-Christ when he or she sins. It is easier said than done in most cases, and during devotions in the morning, my group did discuss the many crucial issues within this context of brotherhood. We agreed that the strength of the body of Christ rests upon the relationships between our brothers and sisters.

Personally for me, I felt that the toughest aspect of brotherhood to actually practise is ego suicide. In a modern world where kiasu-ism and perfectionism is widespread, it is not easy to let go of your pride for the benefit of others at your own expense, especially when it means that the other person, as a result, would be of a higher status than you in the political or social hierarchy. However, after this camp, I will always be reminded about the reassuring fact of Jesus Christ's humility when He came into this fallen world. Christ is known to many by many different names, but one of my favourites is Servant King. He demonstrated humility by washing his disciples' feet and setting an example that is followed even today by many Christian groups around the world. His greatest act of love for the world was His sacrificial act of death for the sins of the world, even to death on the Cross!

Anyway, lessons aside, let's move on to the memories! Hey, what's camp without all the wonderful memories from the hundreds of pictures we took collectively? So without further ado...

During the Team Fortress game... Yours Truly in action!

Definitely one of my fave pics from this camp: Angel & Mortal at WAR! Awesome pic!

The game where we had to form the phrase, "LEGO ME BROTHER!" from satay sticks

The guys and girls at my table during the girls Dish-up

All Blacks!

My group was doing "America's Next Top Model" based on the "Wild Wild West" theme

In our play on the final night, we had to cross-dress!

Lind & I =)

Lind & I again on the final day, who apparently didn't change her shirt! =p

From this pic and the one above, who wouldn't notice that Lind likes to stand on the far right when taking pictures? =p

The med fac students that attended the camp!

The Year 2 meddies!

Another fave! The FGT-ians jump shot!

Lurve everything about this pic of Yin & I... you go gal!

Von looks really nice and sweet here

Raymas & I after arriving back @ Monash

Our parting shot with Victor, who was leaving us as he juz graduated

Thanksgiving time! Praise God, the author and perfector of our salvation, for everything that happened during the camp, both good and bad, as it taught me so much and made me a stronger person in more ways than one! A special shout-out and personal thank you to Ms. Annette Arulrajah & Yuong Eng for sharing and speaking to us on this not-so-easy topic... it was good hearing the Word from 2 Bible scholars who have definitely 'tasted more salt' than any of us at camp. Also worth mentioning were the strengthening of beautiful, pre-existing friendships and the forging of new ones over the 4 days of camp: the joy and fun we had bonding as the people of God united in one heart at the lovely Golden Sands beach area in Port Dickson! Camp would not be possible without the hard work of our camp commandant, my bro Raymas and his committee, so kudos to them for doing a wonderfully splendid job, especially those who were in the many worship teams... you guyz rawk! Praise God for the good and lovely weather throughout the camp, especially during the games planned out by Yin/Kaede, Carmen & Rachel Lim, which I also wanna thank for planning ever so meticulously and burning a lot of midnight oil juz to make sure everything went well! A special thank you to my angel and fellow FGT-ian, Abel, who encouraged me with his notes which came at the right times; and for having fun together at the Team Fortress game! If you're reading this, I can still remember you telling me that my angel was closer than I thought... which turned out to be so true coz u were juz sleeping next to me every night! o.O Thx 2 my fellow Year 2 meddies, Rachel Ooi & Evonne, for being there for me with your warm hugs and prayers, let's finish the race well together! Last but not least, thank you Lind... for making camp that much more interesting; for helping me design a new brand of footwear indirectly =p; for asking and making sure if I was alright from time-to-time; for being honest and transparent with me; for having those heart-to-heart talks at night; and all-in-all for juz making me feel comfortable when I'm with you! *hugs* I'll continue keeping you in my prayers dear!! =D

~Tim~

Is He Enough For You?

2009-06-27T14:32:00.004+08:00

All of You is more than enough for all of me

For every thirst and every need

You satisfy me with Your love

And all I have in You is more than enough

You are my supply

My breath of life

And still more awesome than I know

You are my reward

worth living for

And still more awesome than I know

All of You is more than enough for all of me

For every thirst and every need

You satisfy me with Your love

And all I have in You is more than enough

You're my sacrifice

Of greatest price

And still more awesome than I know

You're the coming King

You are everything

And still more awesome than I know

More than all I want

More than all I need

You are more than enough for me

More than all I know

More than all I can say

You are more than enough for me

Chris Tomlin - Enough

The lyrics to this song are simple, yet meaningful in its own unique way. Lately, I've been listening to a lot of Chris Tomlin's songs, especially the older ones. This is partly due to 2 reasons. The first being I 'accidentally' took my sister's "Hello Love" album to KL, and have been listening to it from time to time (as I have a 6-disc CD player in my CRV, I get to swap CDs with the touch of a button without the hassle of changing discs =D) The other reason is that I've noticed that the worship leaders in FGT's youth service a.k.a. 365 include many of his hit songs, namely "Sing, Sing, Sing", "Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)", "God of this City", and this one, "Enough".

I like how Chris makes his own versions of popular songs and improvises them to suit his style of worshiping God. His voice is both authoritative yet genuine, and in some songs, the quality of his music is noteworthy, some stating that he is the best worship leader in the world right now. Even Time magazine has noted that he is the "most often sung artist anywhere", with millions of worshipers singing his songs every week in churches across the globe.

p.s. Btw, "He" in my post's title refers to Jesus Christ, and not Chris Tomlin. =p And this is a short post before my faculty's retreat to Pulau Tioman... so there will be no more updates till I get back... Till then, adios & tc!

~Tim~

How Heavy Is A Glass of Water?

2009-06-15T14:12:00.004+08:00

Ask yourself this question, "How heavy is a glass of water?"

The absolute weight doesn't matter. It depends on how long you try to
hold it. If I hold it for a minute, that's not a problem. If I hold it
for an hour, I'll have an ache in my right arm.

If I hold it for a day, you'll have to call an ambulance. In each
case, it's the same weight, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it
becomes."

And that's the way it is with stress. If we carry our burdens all the
time, sooner or later, as the burden becomes increasingly heavy, we
won't be able to carry on.

As with the glass of water, you have to put it down for a while and
rest before holding it again. When we're refreshed, we can carry on
with the burden.

Whatever burdens you're carrying now, let them down for a moment if
you can.

Don't pick it up again until after you've rested a while.

The following are quotes that I've found to be witty, fun, and in a way, truthful. Enjoy.

*Accept that some days you're the pigeon, and some days you're the
statue.

*Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat
them.

*Always read/see/surf stuff that will make you look good if you die in
the middle of it.

*Drive carefully. It's not only cars that can be recalled.

*If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was
probably worth it.

*It may be that your sole purpose in life is simply be kind to
others.

*Birthdays are good for you. The more you have, the longer you live.

*We could learn a lot from crayons... some are sharp, some are pretty
and some are dull. Some have weird names, and all are different
colors, but they all have to live in the same box.

And finally my favourite of the lot,
*You may be only one person in the world, but you may also be the
world to one person.

I pray that as my Monashian friends both in med school and CF go through this exam period, we will learn to put down our glass of water occasionally in order to discern what is needful to de-stress our oh-so busy life.

L4D, shopping, dining, reading, Facebook-ing, exercising/jogging/weights-training, heart-to-heart talks, movies, random stuff, watching TV dramas, listening to songs, driving aimlessly, church events, caring for people who matter the most...

ALL THE BEST PPL... 4 the exams and to living a HEALTHY & BALANCED LIFE!!

~Tim~

Tear Down the Walls: Across the Earth

2009-05-31T21:38:00.004+08:00

NOW LISTENING: Hillsong United - Tear Down the Walls: Across the Earth

That's right, dear avid readers, visitors, friends & family, etc... If you guys are fans of Hillsong United, this album is yet another jewel from the youths of Hillsong church. Released on the 26th of this month, it is only 5 days old and already it's selling fast like hotcakes!

I've always been a fan of their music, and who wouldn't? With previous hits like Hosanna, Mighty to Save, From the Inside Out, and Saviour King, among others, their music is not only a joy to the ears, but the meaningful lyrics accompanying most of their songs make them a global phenomenon to many believers out there, all Across the Earth! I totally enjoyed their concert last year where they came to Glad Tidings Church, PJ and performed songs from their The I Heart Revolution: With Hearts as One album, which was more a compilation of previous hits than a totally fresh album. Sadly, it is almost certain that Hillsong United will not be visiting Kuala Lumpur this year unlike last year. :( However, for those crazy enough to go down to Singapore, they will be there on the 25th of July @ The Zone Youth Conference! I might go for it, but then I'd have to skip a few days of classes... who knows? :p

Quoting a reviewer of the album who wishes not to be named, "Hillsong United is called for this purpose to sing, glorifying God, glorifying Jesus, across the whole earth. Great album, slightly different style from previous albums and it's great. Keep listening. God bless Hillsong, Hillsong United. Your Ministry is reaching amazing number of people all across the earth. I am blessed!"

So if you have not purchased this album, what are you waiting for? Time and tide waits for no man! Hope all of you had a great weekend! I know I did! :)

~Tim~

X-er-CISE!

2009-05-26T22:07:00.004+08:00

The sympathetic nervous system goes into overdrive...

Your heart pumps double or triple its normal rate...

Sweat trickles down your face...

Your face starts to flush...

Your muscles begin to tire...

The anaerobic respiratory pathway takes precedence over the aerobic one...

Lactic acid starts to build up inside your body...

Lactic acidosis leads to respiratory acidosis...

I could go on and on about what goes on during intensive physical exercise, but what's the point? Some of you already know the facts and figures. My point is, you've gotta experience it for yourself to really appreciate the wonders of the human body, especially when it has to utilise its compensatory mechanisms to continue supporting life during exercise, stress, etc...

Homeostasis.

Exercise makes you feel good, even if it means spending about half to one hour of your life per day to do it. No pain, no gain.

Newaez, so the story goes... I went jogging today with a couple of fellow CF-ers... or more specifically, the Aquarium Fishes. Yin & I went for Cell but left earlier as we wanted to jog before it got too dark. After changing in Sunway Campus, we set off at our own pace. The other CF-ers were already jogging. We set our Mp3 players, did our warm-ups and juz ran like nobody's business. Loved the feeling of wind blowing in my face and the Lord knows I needed this. =D Gotta work on my jogging technique more though, as it helps in building my stamina and overall endurance. Perhaps I did not do as much running and jogging before this due to time constraints, lack of motivation, etc. =) Being a medical student means I'm learning a lot more about primary healthcare (prevention before disease(s) set in), and one of the key factors is exercise.

I almost left out the fact that I also did do my home workout too yesterday. Thankfully, it's routine, even though I've toned down a somewhat since I entered into med school. Basically, the regime focuses on building strength, rather than endurance. Currently, I'm training using weights for my biceps, triceps, forearm muscles, shoulder muscles and upper chest. Additionally, there are the norms: sit-ups for abdominal muscles, push-ups, chest stretches, arm rolls, etc.

That being physical exercise, I also had some spiritual exercise too! We had a really good cell meeting earlier before the jog. At first, I thought we would juz be celebrating Aaron's b'day, who turned 21 today (and thus being a member of Club 21 instantaneously!) However, with our 365 Youth pastors there, things turned out a lil' bit differently. Ps. Louisa decided that we should take turns praying for one another, and this was done with someone being in the centre sharing their most significant prayer request and everyone laying his or her hand on the person, hearing God speak, and sharing it in prayerful words to him or her. It was really good... not only was everyone prayed for, but everyone who really listened to God speaking to them was able to impart words of encouragement and wisdom to the person in the centre. (p.s. I requested for good time management)

Don't get me started on mental exercise, please! The reason: I kinda juz realised that over the next 2 days, I'm gonna have 14 lectures!! Arrgghh, only time will tell if I 'die' of boredom, restlessness, chronic neurolecturitis, or all of the above!

For all those perfectionist all-rounders who's been taking note on what I've been sayin, there's always the emotional exercise included too in the full round-up of exercise variants. Well, the people who know me best know I'm usually very emotionally stable. Recently, however, some people have really got me thinking about certain things e.g. aspects in my life, among others. The positive ones I shall try to maintain, the negative ones I shall improve on... hopefully. Unfortunately, no details for now, guyz. Period. =>

Is this the calm before the storm to come? Newaez, over these 2 days, I felt good... About myself, about the people I love and cherish a.k.a. family & friends, about life as a whole. That's all that counts... that's all that matters. Cheerz ppl! =D

~Tim~

21 is a Big Number !!!

2009-05-01T16:57:00.006+08:00

Well, as you know, yours truly juz turned 21 yesterday!! And needless to say, as alwayz when there's a major event in my life, there will alwayz be pictures to back em up, as well as credits, captions and thank yous! :D Today being Labour Day all around the world, there's no uni to attend (obviously) and this post was made possible despite the voice in my head telling me to do otherwise and study. I'm not procrastinating, I'm just chilling out!

As you will notice from the pix below, I had not one, not two, but THREE celebrations, all at different times within 24 hours!! Funny how I noticed that 2 + 1 = 3... Kudos to those who got what I meant by that equation! For those who failed to, don't fret as there's always room for improvement! :p

First and foremost, I'd like to thank each and every single person who made my 21st a very special one indeed! I kinda lost count as to the exact number of people who wished me, whether via SMS, phone calls, Facebook, face-to-face, and last but not least, by being there for me! I'm pretty sure it amounted to more than 10 dozen though. Also like to thank those who gave me gifts and cards, I will treasure them, definitely! Before I move on, I'd juz like to clarify that although I took more pix than the ones below, I decided to select a few and not bombard this b'day post with too many pix.. yeah so for the rest of them, you'll juz have to wait for me or the others to upload them onto Facebook... which seems to be the website-of-choice nowadays.

Newaez, without further ado, let's move on to the pix that supposedly say a thousand words, each!!

1st B'day Celebration: Monash Cell & FGT!

This is the 1st 21st b'day celebration... and it was hosted at my Youth Pastors' home @ USJ on Wednesday (the 29th of April) evening... somewhat like a pre-b'day celebration in some sense. It was attended by friends from my church, FGT... and everyone who was there was treated with a scrumptious array of good food: shepherd's pie, lasagna, Domino's pizza, KFC, garlic bread, etc. Dessert was 3 kinds of ice cream in tubs + a British delicacy called 'trifle'! Great food! Makes me wish that my b'day falls on every day! =) Btw, love what the cake says! ;D

With my dear friend Suyin :) Have fun in Malacca!

We decided to do the "my-head-balances-yours" co-op pose for the sake of posing!

Wui Jia and I, who more or less organised the intrinsic details of this celebration! Thx WJ! *hugs*

Posing with Aung Htet, the dude from Myanmar who will soon be shipped back there some time this month.

Meet my youth pastor, Ps. Richard Evans from the UK!

And meet my OTHER youth pastor, Ps. Louisa Evans, who more or less did most of the wonderful cooking! Who says we need to get 4th place in the Treasure Hunt to enjoy a good home-cooked meal? Juz be born at the right time or know the ppl who are born at the right time!

2nd B'day Celebration: PCL Group C 2009!

This was with my PCL group (of this sem... and hopefully next sem as well!) and took place after the main PCL for that day, the next day... roughly about 4 p.m. Wasn't really a surprise as Yu Xiang & Meor kinda gave it away the day before. Haha! But thankz anyway, dudes and dudettes... Lurve ya all da same! XD

The cake was really awesome.. coz it was a combo of a few flavours, namely hazelnut, mint, coffee and chocolate among others. It tasted good even though we took an awfully long time gather around to take the previous photo and the wax and chocolate had melted somewhat onto the cake! Thx Gim Ling for choosing the cake, awesome taste buds you have! After making my wishes for the 2nd time, I huffed out the candles. Notice that there were 21 candles on this one! Thankfully, I managed to blow them ALL out in ONE breath! And I'm even more thankful that my PCL mates did not ask me to take out each one of them with my mouth, just one!

Our PCL tutor wanted a shot with the ladies.

L-R: Gim Ling, Evonne, Dr. Cheong, Pui Yi, Ameerah

3rd B'day Celebration: Fellow Meddies + SP!

For those who don't know the fella in this pic, it's none other than Patty Ho! Oops.. sorry, I meant Patrik Ho, who has got his mouth stuffed with food from Manhattan Fish Market, where I celebrated the first-half of Thursday night. The reason: he was competing to see whether he and Grace combined could eat faster than Nick and Rachel combined. Lolz and LASHES! To add to that, they were also competing to see who finished more bottomless drinks. In this particular pic, I think he was pointing at Grace, but I kinda forgot the reason behind it. Anyway, I enjoyed my New Zealand cod fish, which btw, was on the house as it was my b'day! Very kind of the manager there! And I didn't have to worry about competition!

The delicious complimentary mud pie! Oh btw, Peter came around the time when it was served.. haha!

And they even took the trouble to get me ice-cream from Baskin Robbins and stuff 2 big candles and a small one inside. I made my wishes again for the 3rd time! :D After the dinner, the 2nd half of the night was spent watching one of the blockbusters this year: WOLVERINE! Most of us really enjoyed the show, even though I know some of my friends were wondering what was going on, and someone even slept! *glances at TLHY* Anyway, with avid X-men fans like Nick and yours truly, we managed to clarify a lot of the stuff that was goin on in the movie to Sarah, Grace and Rachel... who from what I heard enjoyed the show as well! Glad for them too! Cheers! :)

A very contented group of medical students (and not forgetting Peter, our SP) after the Wolverine movie! Thanx to all my meddie frenz who planned this double celebration (dinner + movie combo) namely Jun Yet & Grace! Really treasure this friendship of ours of more than a year now and I pray for many more great years of friendship as we embrace and survive medical school life together! We rawk... and we don't need any1 to tell us otherwise!! :D

Yup, so that's about it from my side of the story, for now! Phew, quite a long post for a 2nd year medical student, I would say! Newaez, here's to hoping that those who took the rest of the pix for any of the 3 celebrations will upload them asap! Till then, thank you all for making my day... literally.

~Tim~

Piece of My Mind

2009-04-28T22:10:00.001+08:00

A lot of things have been happening in my life recently... some worth mentioning, others not so. Since the last time I blogged here, things have changed. Been doing some thinking, no, lots of thinking. For the most part, the thinking happens when one enters med school. In that context, a lot of thinking happened when we started studying for the mid-sem exam until the day of the actual exam. After that, there was SPC and CBP to complete, 2 major assignments of 2nd year. But more than that, beyond the academics of med school, I've been thinking about life in general. People change, things change, circumstances change... yeah you get the picture. But that's what makes life unpredictable, yet at the same time, beautiful!

For one, as I'm typing this, I realize that in a little over 24 hours, I would be 21! Yeah, the "legal" age.. as people would call it. The right and "privilege" to vote for the nation's leaders is one thing, but the label of a full-grown "official" adult is another issue to contemplate with. Important decisions will be made this year, whether by hook or by crook. The gravity of each decision would depend and rest a lot on the choices available and the circumstances that each decision was made in. Fortunately for me, this is something I realized a long time ago... LASHES Suyin, for giving me the title "Mr. Obvious"! Well "obviously", we managed to convince so many people that Monash is a dwelling place for penguins! Hi-5 to that! Oh btw, glad you enjoyed being a SP!

For those who are wondering what LASHES means, it's a Timonic™! Tim-0-what, you may ask? For those who want me to clarify or to wipe off the frown on your individual faces, a Timonic™ is an "amalgamation" of my first name's first syllable (Tim) and the word "mnemonic". Hence, you get the new term "Timonic™"! Get the picture? Newaez, so what does LASHES stand for? It's actually my own version of the "lol" or "rofl(mao)"mnemonic. So ladies and gentlemen, *drum rolls*,

LASHES officially stands for Laughing Abruptly So Hard Everything Shakes!

Most people enjoy receiving gifts. I don't know bout you, but I have to admit that I'm very much blessed in so many ways, ways I never thought were even possible. It's not just the material gifts that one receives. Sure, for my 21st, the thought that I will be receiving a new camera and a pair of top-brand sunglasses are certainly mouth-watering and exciting propositions to looks forward to. Not to overlook the fact that my parents already got my mode of transport "upgraded" from a Honda Accord to a CRV just a few hours ago. Friends have been asking "indirectly" what I might want for my 21st. So not very "indirectly", I would very much appreciate personal notes that come from the heart... probably a scrapbook of notes and pix :)

But far more than that, everyday I thank God for the gift of people who love and care for me so abundantly. Parents, family members and dear friends... all of whom I treasure, although there would be the rare occasion where I may take them for granted or not respond in kind, whether I realize it or not. But without people around you, just imagine how lonely life would be. Ask yourself this: What would you do and how would you feel if you were the only person left on the planet? Treasure life and live it to the fullest!

That being said, I'm kinda lookin forward to the rural attachment in Segamat next week. Me and my meddies have already decided that amidst the many rural assignments there, most of us are gonna have fun, hopefully even more than what we had last year. As a matter of fact, it doesn't have to be decided, it goes unspoken. Last year --> 1 week only. This year--> 2 weeks!! Basketball, L4D/DotA, late-night chats with close friends, etc... feels as if we're paying Monash to give us good retreats like the Orientation Camp last year in Port Dickson. LASHES!

On another note, being an EE trainer this sem so far meant that most Sunday afternoons were sacrificed for my trainees' benefit of learning to evangelize effectively. Some of you might not know this, but I was a little skeptical about being a trainer this sem as I knew that time spent going for Sunday morning classes and OJTs after church service was time I could very well spend on my ever-hectic schedule of learning and mastering medicine. However, after personal encouragement from special certain people in my life and continuous prayer, I decided to take on the role. My FGT youth pastors said that I would learn more being a trainer than a trainee. And they were right. For the good first few weeks, my co-trainer (Wui Jia) and I took turns sharing different parts of the EE presentation, which in turn, reinforced what I had already mastered last year. Being a trainer also meant that I was both a role model and a mentor to my trainees. I'm doing a lot on my part, my trainees, so buck up... especially as the mid-term checkup is coming up this week! Don't let us down!!

Yeah, that's about it from me, folks! God bless y'all and take care!

Peace out!
~Tim~

FEATURE: Confusing English

2009-03-19T20:28:00.007+08:00

1. If Fed Ex and UPS were to merge, would they call it 
Fed UP?

2. Do Lipton Tea employees take coffee breaks?

3. If olive oil comes from olives, where does baby 
oil come from?

4. If people from Poland are called Poles, why aren't 
people from Holland called Holes?

5. Do infants enjoy infancy as much as adults enjoy 
adultery?

6. Why the man who invests all your money called a 
broker?

7. If horrific means to make horrible,  does 
terrific mean to make terrible?

8. Why is it called building when it is already 
built?

9. If a book about failures does sell, is it 
called a success?

10. If you're not supposed to drink and drive, 
then why do Bars have parking lots?

11. If you take an Oriental person and spin him 
around Several times, does he become disoriented?

12. If vegetarians eat vegetables, what do 
humanitarians eat?? Humans?

Hope ya'll have a good laugh or at the least... 
ponder over the many, mysterious complexities 
of the English language!
Oh and Joann Chua Shi Ying! Juz like to wish 
you an early Happy Birthday! All da best as 
we survive 2nd year together!

~Tim~

Return From the Void

2009-03-17T22:22:00.004+08:00

I have returned from what most bloggers would call a "blog void", a time in a blogger's life where no posts are put up on his/her blog for a significant length or period of quantifiable time. Yeah, I know that sentence could be simplified, but to cut a long story short, I haven't been updating my blog for more than 2 months. To my blog-faithful, I know you've been counting the days and wondering whether I'm still alive or whether my blog is. Either way, the wait is over...

First and foremost, I'd juz like to fill u guys/galz on something close to my heart. They say that no matter where you go, you'll always return "home" eventually. Then, there's the saying, "home sweet home". Without scrolling down, you might be wonderin where this narrative is heading to. Well, to fill those of u who are still clueless, quite a significant part of my long 4-month break was used to shift stuff from my old home to my new one. Yeap, u heard right... For all my primary/secondary schoolmates/frenz, the house many of u have visited me in every year, year after year, has already been sold to the government. Before I returned to KL to do my 2nd year of medical studies, my fam & I had already shifted into our new home, and I was stayin there for a couple of weeks before I had to drive up again. However, this post is actually written coz I wanna dedicate it to my old home, situated along Jalan Stulang Darat, where I spent a good number of years. I have many memories, both good and bad, of the things that went on in that house and I treasure them equally, as they have shaped me into the person I am today. In total, I have lived here for more than a decade! In fact, my adolescent years were spent growing up here. Now in a few weeks time, according to the city planners, the government will actually demolish it to the ground and use the newly flattened terrain to build the new "super-highway" leading from the new CIQ complex (for those jargon-illiterate, CIQ stands for Customs, Immigration & Quarantine) to Taman Iskandar/Permas Jaya.

I will juz post up my final visual memories (a.k.a. photos) of this monumental relic in my life...

1 of the 2 living rooms, probably the coldest room in the entire house coz it had two air-con units.

The "modified" kitchen where most of the meals at home were cooked, boiled, steamed, fried, etc...

The pantry where we kept all our canned food, bread, cutlery, and junk food! :)

The entertainment room, where the family would gather to watch TV, video tapes, VCDs, DVDs, ... yeah anythin visual and audible. Oh, and the younger generation in my extended family utilised the PS2/X-Box here too.

The ever-spacious open porch that my dad claims can fit up to 12 cars! I think he might be right. *winks to dad*

You can see the other half of the porch in this pic. Oh, and my home's guest suite is situated at the top-left corner of this pic.

As mentioned earlier, home is the place most people will run to in the end. To some, it could mean a place of comfort, to others it would mean being surrounded by familiar, loving faces of family members. Still, others seek out solitude in the 4 walls of their homes. Sometimes, people have varying definitions of home. I would admit, sometimes, that I define home not as a place, but rather, a being... to be more specific, THE being: God. We all need our "time-out" being away from people, not the least, our loved ones... at any one point in our lives.

There must be times in your life that you yearn for more of God than
your schedule will allow. We all have. We are tired, stressed by our
jobs, crowded by friends and burdened by obligations. We have abundant
life but are too busy for it! Even good obligations and commitments
can turn toxic to our soul. Christian author, Madeleine L’Engle
resonates within us when she writes in A Circle of Quiet that “(e)very
so often I need a OUT; something will throw me into total
disproportion, and I have to get away from everyone- away from all
those people I love most in the world-in order to regain a sense of
proportion.” However this is more than just a need to get away. There
is also a need to get to (somewhere). And in our case, the need is to
get to the presence of God. In other words, we need to go to a
spiritual retreat.

“Spiritual retreat,” explains Emilie Griffin in Wilderness Time, “is
simply a matter of going into a separate place to seek Christian
growth in a disciplined way. Retreat offers us the grace to be
ourselves in God’s presence without self-consciousness, without
masquerade. Retreat provides the chance to spend time generously in
the presence of God. In such time, God helps us to empty ourselves of
cares and anxieties, to be filled with wisdom that restores us.”

Jesus himself sought times of quiet and solitude. The evangelist Mark
tells us in middle of a busy schedule, “(v)ery early in the morning,
while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to
a solitary place, where he prayed. Simon and his companions went to
look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: "Everyone is
looking for you!"” (Mark 1:35-37). This is not an isolated incident
for Jesus. After his miraculous feeding of the five thousand,
“(i)mmediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on
ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. After leaving
them, he went up on a mountainside to pray” (Mark 6:56-46).

The evangelist Matthew too made a similar observation of Jesus: “After
he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to
pray. When evening came, he was there alone.” (Matthew 14:23). Luke
too remarks on this peculiar characteristic of Jesus: “Yet the news
about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear
him and to be healed of their sicknesses. But Jesus often withdrew to
lonely places and prayed.” (Luke 5:15-16). It appears that the more
his fame spreads, the more he is in demand as a teacher and healer,
the more Jesus looks for a quiet place, to be away from the crowd that
he serves. And what does he do when he is alone? He prays. He commune
with his Father. As soldiers in battle in the frontline need to be
rotated back to the rear to rest or team sportspersons have time out,
Jesus after every spiritual battle needs a retreat; a retreat, not in
the sense of a setback but in the concept of a timeout. It is in his
Father that Jesus finds rest.

It is more than rest that Jesus receives in his retreats. He also gets
wisdom. “One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray,
and spent the night praying to God. When morning came, he called his
disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated
apostles…”(Luke 6:12-13). These twelve men will transform the world
and brings God’s plan of redemption to another level. The wisdom comes
from being in the presence of God. To achieve this type of wisdom
needs trust.

For us, a spiritual retreat requires trust in the Holy Spirit. A
retreat is not like a church camp, a conference or a vacation- where
activities may be planned in advance and we know the agenda (mostly to
have a good time, hopefully to learn something). In a retreat, we do
not know what God has in store for us, but we are willing to take the
risk to find out. We participate in confidence that the Holy Spirit is
entirely trustworthy and will never lead us to harm.

There is a need for us to persist in Scripture reading, journal and
prayer even though the silence and solitude frightens us. In a group
retreat, there is a strong temptation to flee the presence of God into
the company of friends where it is safe and comfortable. To engage in
idle group gossip takes our attention from having to be silent before
the Lord, and the discomfort of the work of the Holy Spirit on our
souls. However it is to our good that we persist. The Psalmist says,

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust."

Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare
and from the deadly pestilence.

He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. (Psalm 91:1-4)

It is in a spiritual retreat that you have the time and opportunity to
discover who you are, and to whom do you belong to. That is wisdom
indeed.

A Retreat Prayer,

Father, we approach You with great expectations and fear. We have high
expectations in this encounter with you. Yet we are fearful because in
Your light and holiness, we may discover things about ourselves that
we are not comfortable with. Help us to discover and face the truth
about ourselves. May the Holy Spirit works powerfully within our
hearts, minds, and souls. May we rediscover ourselves in new ways and
give us the strength to be transformed to the likeness of Your Son.
Give us more love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Father, we ask for a more intense revelation of Yourself to us in this
retreat. We want to know You, know more of You and to love You. Help
us to break the many false concepts of You that we have developed over
the years, some of which we have made into idols. Help us to know You
as revealed in Your Son, Jesus Christ.

Give us the grace to follow you. The road ahead is hard and rugged. We
are afraid, O Lord. We are afraid of pain and suffering. We are afraid
of things that you may ask us to give up. We are afraid of illness,
loneliness, dryness, despair and constant stress. Know our weaknesses
and be gentle with us. Forgive us in our failures when You test us. As
you make a saint of St. Peter, make a saint of us, we pray.

Most of all, Lord. We ask that you will show us the splendour of what
you have given us: our life in You; a life lived here on earth with
Christ. We ask that you show us and lead us into simplicity of life
and of heart. Lord, help us to know you in our daily life, to know you
in the breaking of bread, in song, in fellowship, and in the cleansing
of our hearts by penitence and prayer.

In the Name of Your Son we pray.

Amen

~Tim~

Full Gospel Tabernacle: The Church You Can Call Home (Pt 2)

2008-12-29T23:18:00.007+08:00

It's like somethin so clear and vivid... yet at the same time... it seems so far away based on the measurable equivalent distance of any two places that are about 400km apart. The church, situated in USJ, or more specifically housed in Wisma Eagles, is a church that I will forever hold close to my heart.

It's been only approximately 2-and-a-half weeks that I've been in JB, and already I miss the people there, which is what constitutes the church... not the building, but the people! Don't get me wrong, it's not that I don't enjoy coming back to my home church in S'pore; but rather this post is a token of appreciation to signify how much I've matured spiritually each week that can only be attributed to FGT's role in my life this year. Over the 9 months or so in FGT, I've been involved in the transport ministry and evangelism ministry (through Evangelism Explosion), built new friendships, been exposed to many spiritual encounters that I never thought I would experience, attended the 365 Youth Camp, and the list just goes on and on. Through his servants, The 365 Youth pastors, Pastor Richard & his wife, Ps. Louisa Evans, this youth group has seen and experienced so much. God is really working in their lives to touch the hearts of this youth group here.

And yes, I have never seen so many Africans in a church before. I guess that the church is able to provide some sense of 'security' to these brothers- and sisters- in- Christ and create racial unity among its members. Another key factor that probably attracts people of all races is the church's love for music, and when I say music, I mean really good, all-out worship and singing! :)

You can look over the previous posts about the church events we've had over the past few months as well as some of the photos put up by the youths on Facebook.

But let's come to the main highlight of this post: the close friends in FGT I've built bonds with over the months... some of whom will be sorely missed next year due to studies and work! :(

First up, I shall thank the person who introduced me to FGT in the first place, my uni colleague and fellow Year 1 (now Year 2!) meddie, Ms. Evonne Teoh! We kinda came up with nicks for each other, where she calls me "Stubbornhead" and I call her "StubbornGIRL"! :p Anyway, I'm glad I got to know you better throughout this year, and I really appreciate you opening up to me on more than several occasions. :D Hope you enjoyed your holiday in Aussie, babe! (... although it meant that you missed my farewell lunch) :( Anyhow, I'll cya in time too next year.. it's juz 2 months plus more! :D

The 2 photos above are candid shots of Ms. Lim Tak Yee, who usually poses or smiles with her grin in front of the camera, AWARE! TY, thx for the advice and guidance you've given me throughout this year. I really appreciated it when you were sincere in getting to know me and where I wanted my life to go during the long chat we had in the LS... I guess that was the start of our long and beautiful friendship. Anywayz, I'm hoping to meet up with you and the others in Jan 09 when you guys get to JB! :) Haha, don't kill me for putting up these candids! :p

The dude above, ahem *clears throat*, is a semi-candid shot of none other than Dr. D.R.! Did you get that? I guess not! It's Mr. Ooi Dar Ray (soon to be Doctor Dar Ray), my closest bro in FGT and also my senior by a year. Really appreciate the close friendship we shared over the year, for lookin out for me, and for hearing me out at one point. It's good to know we've got each other's backs! :)

Haha, Mr. Steven Tan, my bro and cell leader in FGT... love the expressioN! Thx for all the contributions you've made throughout this year not only in our cell, but the Monash cell as well as the 365 youth group as a whole, both as a worship-leader and a musician. Super talented guy... can play almost any mainstream instrument known to man! Rawk on! :D

Last but not least, I'd like to include Ms. "Kaede" Chia Suyin here for two reasons:

1. She attended my farewell lunch organised by Steven exclusively for the ppl in FGT :p

2. We seemed to click almost instantaneously when we met the first time over lunch at Medan, and from there we could talk about almost anything! :)

Yeah, and she has a strong passion in joining EE next year as a trainee too.. praise God! :)

So, as some of you might have inferred, they had this farewell lunch for me at an Indonesian restaurant somewhere in Mentari, and all of us ordered ayam penyek, their specialty dish... which was super-spicy! After that, the conversation just flowed. It was good company, great friends... and as usual, we 'camwhored'!

And we didn't juz camwhore outside the restaurant, but we also took a mirror shot INSIDE the restaurant! Yeah ppl were looking at us, but hey, who cares? We only live on Earth once, right, so live it to the fullest! :p

So that concluded the year in FGT for me... and I'm lookin forward to more exciting and happening events in the next one! Toodles!

Those days in KL were... wait for it... AWESOME!! (Pt 1)

2008-12-15T17:18:00.000+08:00

For those who watch and follow the HIMYM TV series, you'll understand what my blog post title is referring to... (winks especially at Rachel, Adnan & Nick). For those still clueless or reading it again and again with puzzled faces, HIMYM stands for 'How I Met Your Mother', a really cool comedy series revolving around its star, Ted Mosby, narrating to his 2 adolescent kids about... simply how he met their mother! The show has been running for 4 seasons now, and like Rachel said, when you reminisce, it is somewhat like Friends. The tagline reads 'A Love Story, in Reverse'. How true! Some folks might detest the show saying that it is too liberal in its values and the culture depicted is too "Americanised", unlike our traditional Asian culture. However, I believe that as long as you know where the boundaries and limits are, it's still A-O.K. to watch it!

Newae, this post series will play its purpose in updating u guyz about wat's been happening to and around me during these past few weeks/months. Life's been good, pretty much repetitive in some aspects, but nevertheless bearable and if I choose to see it in a positive light, fun! For those that are unaware, I am FINALLY back in my hometown after what I would call a brief 'post-exam holiday' in KL, before packin my bags and driving down 360 km a.k.a. 4-hour drive @ 110-120 km/h.

Let's see... While I was still in KL, there was this outing where Jun Yet, Rachel & I decided to visit The Mines. Both of 'em wanted to check out a Mandarin book fair and asked me to tag along.. even though I don't read Mandarin! But being the good friend I am, I decided to accompany them. Picked up Rachel in the morning, went to uni for a briefing, then both of us left for the Mines. A while later, JY showed up. We headed for the book fair and then spent a couple of hours there, which thankfully had an English section by MPH, kudos to them...

The pic below is one which I took showing the beautiful layout and design of the mall. Newae, it's been ages since I actually came here. Probably a decade, but to me, that's half my lifetime!

We went for lunch after walkin around the mall and feelin hungry. It was at this unique shop that specialised in teas. The food there was juz o.k., according to my high standards I have for food. I think the tea was better, not juz taste-wise, but also aroma-wise which was both scintillating and pleasant at the same time.

After lunch, we hunted around for dessert, or anything to arouse our already-aroused tastebuds even further. We probably encircled the moat you saw in the first picture once or twice, when JY (I think) pointed out to a stall called 'Snowy' which sells a variety of delicacies such as ice cream, ABC, fruits, etc. After much contemplating on what to order, we finally decided to have 2 bowls of iced fruits.

Thus, this concludes the first part of this post series. Who knows what I'm gonna write about in the next part. Newaez, gonna go for dinner at TGIF with family & friends now. I can actually hear my stomach grumbling amidst the loud Hillsong United music being blasted by my subwoofers back here at home. Haha, juz kidding, that was a little too exaggerated. Anyhow, until the next post from me, stay cool and God bless you all!

~Tim~

The Return...

2008-11-20T16:51:00.004+08:00

Alas, I have returned to my blogging ways after a long, I-couldn't-help-it-cause-I-was-studying-for-exams "sa-blog-atical" (codename for a blog sabbatical!) Gosh, I wonder how long it's been, last I posted something was Oct 8... which is like more than a month! In fact, almost 6 weeks! I presume every1 knows why, so I shall not comment any further on it.

FYI, I'm blogging in the histopath lab in uni now. I have it all to myself cos every1 is busy enjoying the hols and not a single med student can be seen gallavanting around. I miss those days when I get to see one, two, or maybe more familiar faces around here, even if those faces are stressed out over too much studying (or the lack of it!) Not returning to JB until after the 10th of December for certain reasons.

My OSCE exam ended on the 10th of Nov and prior to that, my brain was being saturated non-stop with medical content: such as drug names, classes of chemoreceptors, Health Enhancement Program material, and so forth. I started studying and preparing for the written exam about 1 month before I had to sit for it, which is probably the longest period of mugging and cramming-data-into-brain that I've ever done so far for any exam. That's coz statistics show that:

Fact #1: NORMAL people usually only remember things they've memorised or studied with precision in the last 2 weeks.

Fact #2: Some claim that you can only remember with deadly accuracy specific details about a certain subject that you studied within the last 48 hours. (This fact is probably applicable to those major "last-minute-muggers" who aim to barely achieve the passing grade, or in medical terms, 'surface' learners.)

Therefore, after 1 month of studying, it's gonna take awhile before I start revising content of my Year 1 syllabus again. Furthermore, as you may have noticed, here I am blogging once more. =)Some of you may have noticed that there is a 10-day gap in between after my OSCE & now, and most prob wondering what I've been up to. Well, let me fill you guys in, with tons of details! So here it goes...

The day after the exam which was inarguably the 11th, I went along with the rest of MI6 to Low Yat Plaza (LYP) to do some shopping. Nick, Rachel and I started the trip there by monorail after Nick parked his car at KJ LRT station. One stop later, we got off to meet up with Sarah. Then the 4 of us headed off to LYP to shop for Nick's new handphone, which was eventually a Sony Ericson K "can't-remember-the-model" LOL. Moments later, poof, Jun Yet and Grace met up with us and thus the 6 of us "conquered" both LYP & Sungai Wang Plaza... literally. WHY? Coz we ended up shopping from noon till late at night, running around desperately to look for things that THEY would need for the formal dinner the following night. So, for the sake of vanity, the 3 guys bought a long-sleeved shirt each, Nick & I bought a tie, and Nick & JY both bought a black coat. On the other hand, the 3 girls bought a similar top but each with different colours; and who knows what else... ! :p Oh, I bought a CoolerMaster laptop cooler for RM92 on the same day too, carried it around for 10 hours, and coz I forgot to check the contents, I found out that the USB cable needed to power the cooling fan was missing! Arrgghhh! Had to go back there on Tuesday to get it... I learnt a valuable lesson the hard way, always check your purchases to make sure everything's there! On the upside, I went back 1 week later which was a good thing, coz I realised that brand power really exists. I used the cooling pad without the fan and presto, the aluminium body dispersed the heat emitted from my laptop with ease without crashing the system! It's true what they say, you get what you pay for!

Yeah, so as you know from what you've juz read, the next day was the MUMedS Formal Dinner at Bread & Olives Restaurant in Ampang. Everyone who attended was dressed to kill, even the lecturers! *looking innocent* Yeah, pics that were taken on that night by my friends and I are already uploaded onto Facebook, so go have a look to see what I mean. :>

Last Thursday: PAINtball! Period.

After the exam, I did quite a lot of shopping for luxuries/accessories that I don't really need but had been eyeing for the last few months, as well as spending more than I usually do. My most expensive buy of the post-exam season (for now at least), is a 320GB Maxtor external hard disk drive which cost me RM285, which I also got from LYP on the day I had to go back there to "claim" the USB cable for my laptop cooler. Kudos to Julian for bringing me there and back! You rawk!

I also got my Accord serviced and now it runs smoother, drives faster and ready to take the long journey home to JB after the 10th of Dec. Woot! Well, I think this post is way-too-detailed and I feel like hitting my Lineage 2 game once more... so saiyonara, take care ppl & God bless you all!

~Tim~

Does God Exist?

2008-10-08T11:45:00.004+08:00

Faith is believing in what you cannot see.

If you have doubts as to whether God really exists, just look up to the sky at night. In certain regions of the world, you can actually see stars and constellations that speak of the vast nature of the universe out there. Everything in outer space has a "system" to function properly, and without it, even sustaining life on Earth would be an impossibility. Our planet is positioned just nicely in the Solar System, whereby any move nearer or farther from the Sun would be catastrophic. A perfect location... The only planet in our vast universe that is known to house living beings. What are the chances that all this was just due to chance, or due to the notion of "pre-existence"?

Do you believe in evolution?

A man went to a barbershop to have his hair cut and his beard trimmed. As the barber began to work, they began to have a good conversation. They talked about so many things and various subjects. When they eventually touched on the subject of God, the barber said I don't believe that God exists."

"Why do you say that?" asked the customer.

"Well, you just have to go out in the street to realize that God doesn't exist. Tell me, if God exists, would there be so many sick people? Would there be abandoned children? If God existed, there would be neither suffering nor pain. I can't imagine a loving a God who would allow all of these things."

The customer thought for a moment, but didn't respond because he didn't want to start an argument. The barber finished his job and the customer left the shop.

Just after he left the barbershop, he saw a man in the street with long, stringy, dirty hair and an untrimmed beard. He looked dirty and unkempt. The customer turned back and entered the barber shop again and he said to the barber: "You know what? Barbers do not exist."

"How can you say that?" asked the surprised barber. "I am here, and I am a barber. And I just worked on you!"

"No!" the customer exclaimed. "Barbers don't exist because if they did, there would be no people with dirty long hair and untrimmed beards, like that man outside."

"Ah, but barbers DO exist! " answered the barber. " What happens, is,people do not come to me. "

"Exactly!" affirmed the customer. "That's the point! God, too, DOES exist! What happens, is, people don't go to Him and do not look for Him. That's why there's so much pain and suffering in the world."

Keep the faith burning!

~Tim~

A.S.A.P.

2008-10-05T17:17:00.004+08:00

Ever wonder about the abbreviation A.S.A.P.? Generally we think of it in terms of even more hurry and stress in our lives. Maybe if we think of this abbreviation in a different manner, we will begin to find a new way to deal with those rough days along the way.

There's work to do, deadlines to meet;

You've got no time to spare,

But as you hurry and scurry-

ASAP - ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER

In the midst of family chaos,

"Quality time" is rare.

Do your best; let God do the rest-

ASAP - ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER

It may seem like your worries

Are more than you can bear.

Slow down and take a breather-

ASAP - ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER

God knows how stressful life is;

He wants to ease our cares,

And He'll respond to all your needs

ASAP - ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER

People often misjudge the power of prayer.

A prayer of salvation and redemption.

A prayer of healing and comfort.

A prayer of forgiveness and restitution.

A prayer of hope and faith.

A prayer of protection.

A prayer of anointing.

A prayer of peace and harmony.

A prayer of guidance and purpose.

A prayer for the church or the house of prayer for all nations... For it is written in Isaiah 56:7, "... these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations."

Any of the prayers listed above, and more, have the potential to bring change(s) in our individual lives, our community, our nation, and last but not least, the planet we live on. Let us not forget the power of prayer!

~Tim~

Winds of Changes, Wings of Angels

2008-09-28T23:00:00.007+08:00

I guess listening to Andrea Bocelli & Sarah Brightman's duet, "Time to Say Goodbye" kinda inspired and prompted me to write this post... as I'm moving out of Saujana Resort to an undisclosed location tomorrow. :(

Leaving the ever beautiful and peaceful Saujana Resort does have an effect on me, especially after I spent the last 8 months here, effectively making it my 2nd home in KL. I guess I have gotten used to a maid coming to tidy up the place and iron my clothes every week, the wonderful facilities available here (esp the swimming pool, gym and 24-hour security feature) and a place where anyone can juz come home and relax. This is a place I called home even though it wasn't exactly mine in the first place, but I guess that's because I juz felt too comfortable here. Juz ask any of my frenz who've been here - Sarah, Grace, Rachel, Jun Yet, Terence and Joann.

I will also miss the company of my two housemates (Aunty Ai Yat & Deb... the former being the owner who sold the place - the reason why I have to move in the first place :P) Thank you both for your kind hospitality and putting up with me for the past two-thirds of a year! =D

Unfortunately for me, my 'prospective' new home lacks most of what I had here. No pool, gym, wide-screen flat panel TV, DVD player, etc. As it is quite new, it lacks Internet access! Looks like I'll be spending more time in uni, not that it's a bad thing, since I get to wake up later for uni anyway! :D Yeah, and less distractions means more time on studying. No, I'm not complaining - there are pros and cons to everything.

Anyway, moving on...

I'm actually on a one-week "break".

It's not exactly a good thing.

It's supposed to be utilised for revision for the upcoming exam in a month's time.

SO I don't exactly know why it's called a break, probably cause Monash wants to "break" us.

Don't even get started on calling it a holiday!

... although during the duration of last week, some of us felt the "holiday mood" setting in.

You want proof? The pix below show evidence regarding some of my overenthusiastic frenz' attempts to bring in the "holiday mood" as mentioned above. =P

Sam & Pat, our very own clowns, oops I mean medical reps for MUSA, as voted by my fellow meddies and I. Hope we made the right choice guys! LOL!

There's Pat (again!) with Irfadh.

Nick played too... not with the clowns or as a clown though, but with the guitar. :P I think the hat matches his shirt nicely.

On the same note, which 2 words that both rhyme with mood comes to mind when the term "holiday mood" is mentioned?

Let me give you some pointers: Starts with good and ends with food. Oh wait, I already gave it away... GOOD FOOD!

Last Friday, 5 of us meddies went to Pizza Hut and kinda "over-ordered" coz there was a Ramadan promo goin on there. There was Yours Truly, Dan, Grace, Sarah & Jun Yet; and we cumulatively (and crazily) ordered:

6 personal pan pizzas, 2 spaghetti pastas, 4 rolls of garlic bread, 8 bowls of soup and 8 glasses of Pepsi! We couldn't really finish everything, even with Dan around.

Leftovers: 1 pizza!

Nah, come to think of it, we didn't over-order. I think we were stuffed really well, but not to the extent of throwing up everything. And we paid about RM15 each only due to the promo! Talk about GOOD (and cheap) FOOD!

Typical ain't it? Get used to it! =D

Yeah, I think that's about it for now... Oh but wait, there's juz one more thing!

Ms. Stubborngirl a.k.a. Evonne a.k.a Blair Teoh has specially requested I put up pix of her during her blood donation last week. However, I'll only put up what I think to be her best one! Scroll down to see if you agree with me. :D

~~~

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~~~~~

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That's all for now. Seriously.

~Tim~

Test of Faith

2008-09-22T23:44:00.004+08:00

~ What doesn't kill you makes you stronger ~

~ Adversity doesn't build character as much as it reveals it ~

I think both statements can be true if you don't waste your pain.

Pain, obstacles and adversity: the anvil on which your character is forged. Everything has a cause and effect.

Some people say that pain is all in the mind, and if you can suppress it mentally, you will not even feel it. However, what if it is mental pain i.e. anxiety, anguish, fear, depression, etc.

If you fail to learn from the pain, but choose bitterness and anger, the next adversity you face will reveal the shallowness of your character and faith.

God can indeed use adversity to build your faith and make you a stronger man. But He can also use those "life-storms" as a proving ground for your faith.

Answer the following questions for yourselves:

What are your biggest fears?

What causes you the most pain in life?

Do you have doubts about your purpose and direction in life?

What is faith and/or what does it mean to you?

More importantly, ponder over EE's 2 diagnostic questions:

#1: Have you come to a place in your spiritual life where you know for certain that if you were to die today you would go to heaven, or is that something you would say you're still working on?

#2: Suppose you were to die today and stand before God and He were to say to you, "Why should I let you into My heaven?" what would you say?

As you reflect over both critical questions, I hope you have confidence in your answers and the assurance of the Holy Spirit, especially those who know Christ. I know for certain, without a shadow of a doubt, that I do! Think about it!

~Tim~

FEATURE: Euro-English

2008-09-19T23:05:00.004+08:00

Ok ppl, I'm gonna introduce a new type of post on my blog, coz lately, I've been gettin a whole pile of interesting stuff delivered right to my e-mail address. I'm gonna entitle it "FEATURE", and it will be a pre-fix before the actual post title. I'll only put up FEATUREs from time to time though, so look out for 'em! I assure you it will be a good read, as it is mostly articles I find that tickled my funny bone (or ulna nerve, as meddies would put it! :P) And yes, they are almost always "clean", so I won't include any dirty humour, racist jokes, and so forth. So, I hope you'll enjoy reading them too! =D So without further ado, here's the first FEATURE... Euro-English!

The European Commission has just announced an agreement whereby English will be the official language of the European Union rather than German, which was the other possibility.

As part of the negotiations, the British Government conceded that English spelling had some room for improvement and has accepted a 5- year phase-in plan that would become known as "Euro-English".
In the first year, "s" will replace the soft "c". Sertainly, this will make the sivil servants jump with joy.
The hard "c" will be dropped in favour of "k". This should klear up konfusion, and keyboards kan have one less letter.
There will be growing publik enthusiasm in the sekond year when the troublesome "ph" will be replaced with "f". This will make words like fotograf 20% shorter.
In the 3rd year, publik akseptanse of the new spelling kan be expekted to reach the stage where more komplikated changes are possible.
Governments will enkourage the removal of double letters which have always ben a deterent to akurate speling.
Also, al wil agre that the horibl mes of the silent "e" in the languag is disgrasful and it should go away.
By the 4th yer people wil be reseptiv to steps such as replasing "th" with "z" and "w" with "v".
During ze fifz yer, ze unesesary "o" kan be dropd from vords kontaining "ou" and after ziz fifz yer, ve vil hav a reil sensi bl riten styl.
Zer vil be no mor trubl or difikultis and evrivun vil find it ezi tu understand ech oza. Ze drem of a united urop vil finali kum tru.
Und efter ze fifz yer, ve vil al be speking German like zey vunted in ze forst plas.
Cheers,
~Tim~

7 Daily Rules from God

2008-09-11T11:38:00.004+08:00

Today is one of those rare, non-holiday weekdays where I get to wake up late coz my classes today only start at 2 p.m. I know some of my fellow meddies would be sleeping until 1 p.m., but as a habit, I make it a point not to wake up later than 11 a.m., even if it is a weekend or holiday. :) I'm glad I finished up my intro for EPI and started a bit on the Objectivity & Patient Perspective section already. Praise Adonai to Our God Most High! :D

This is not going to be a lengthy post coz I actually have to divide tasks for my Practical class later as I'm the "Chair" for this week. Moreover, I actually have to DO them! Yeah, but I juz wanna share somethin here, which I hope will enrich the lives of those who read it. Basically, it's about a few pointers for living your day-to-day lives with a purpose, a purpose that glorifies God. So here they are:

1. Wake Up! Decide to have a good day. "Today is the day the Lord hath made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalms 118:24

2. Dress Up! The best way to dress up is to put on a smile. A smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks. "The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at outward appearance; but the Lord looks at the heart." I Samuel 16:7

3. Shut Up! Say nice things and learn to listen. God gave us two ears and one mouth, so He must have meant for us to do twice as much listening as talking. "He who guards his lips guards his soul." Proverbs 13:3

4. Stand Up! ... For what you believe in. Stand for something or you will fall for anything.. "Let us not be weary in doing good; for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good..." Galatians 6:9-10

5. Look Up! ... To the Lord. "I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me." Phillippians 4:13

6. Reach Up! ... For something higher. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, And He will direct your path." Proverbs 3:5-6

7. Lift Up! ... Your prayers. "Do not worry about anything; instead PRAY ABOUT EVERYTHING." Philippians 4:6

Serving Christ Together,

~Tim~

Exams

2008-09-06T23:05:00.004+08:00

Fact #1: No one I know loves exams. Period.

Fact #2: Med students take a long time to "relax" after exams. Yes, I know my mid-sem exam ended about one-and-a-half weeks ago, but I'm taking a long time "de-stressing" from the aftermath of it (probably applies to almost all my fellow meddies as well) - spelling an often-disastrous 'procrastination'!

Fact #3: Post something farnie! For my blog faithful, it's been quite some time since I posted anything that really tickled your funny-bone (oh, for those that are oblivious, the "funny-bone" is actually the reaction you get when you suddenly strike your ulnar nerve on the medial epicondyle of your humerus i.e. that immediate reflex associated with it)...

... Newae, I recently came across something funny (or that I found funny) regarding exams, or more specifically, the Malaysian examination of the highest pedigree known to Malaysians... the STPM!

How do you explain the fact that 87% of the students passed the examinations of the Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) recently? When during your grandfather's time only 10% would have passed?

Are students getting smarter? Or are STPM questions getting easier?

Let me put things in their proper perspective.

During your grandfather's time, they would ask exam questions like:
"In what year did Parameswara founded the kingdom of Melaka ?"
The correct answer was "1402", and they found that only 10% of the students managed to answer the question correctly. This didn't go down too well with the authorities, because the objective of the exams was to pass people.

I mean, what's the point of having exams if people fail?
So later, they found another way to ask the same question:
"Parameswara founded the kingdom of Melaka in the year:
a) 2001
b) 2004
c) 1986
d) 1975
e) 1402
Tick the correct answer."

The results were better in that 20% of the students passed.

But it was still not good enough, so the authorities tried a different tactic a few years later.

"Parameswara founded the kingdom of Melaka in the year 1402. True or false?"

Well, half of the students guessed "True" and the other half guessed "False".

Fully 50% passed.

The results were getting pretty acceptable by now but still not good enough.

Most other countries would be satisfied with a 50% passing rate, but not us. We are a better country, because we are a boleh country. The authorities then cracked their heads and then came out with this one:

Read the following sentence carefully.
"Parameswara, the cousin of Proton-Iswara, founded the kingdom of Melaka in the year 1402. Underline the name of the person who founded Melaka."

60% underlined "Parameswara", 30% underlined "Proton-Iswara" and 10% underlined "1402".
Yeah!!!!....60% managed to pass! So krever!

But for some reason, the authorities were still not contented. So last year, they came out with this gem:

"One day in the year 1402, Parameswara founded the kingdom of Melaka . Then he went home to have dinner. What did he eat?"

13% (smart students) handed in blank answers, 57% wrote "Maggi Mee", and 10% wrote "Kentucky Fried Chicken", and 20% wrote "Nasi Lemak". The official answer was anything concerning "Food" of course!
After the marking was over, it was found that 87% of the students had passed.

87%!!!!!............now that's pretty impressive!

So it's true.
So now the authorities are very happy that the students are indeed getting smarter? Well done Boleh-land!

Proves once again that "Malaysia Boleh!" :)

Oh, and here are some pics that I took over the past few weeks which I wasn't able to put up due to exams... Bleh! Finally!

Sem 2 PCL Group C

W Tak Yee & Dar Ray at EE Banquet Dinner

W Dar Ray (coincidence that we both wore shirts of almost the same colour and design on Sunday morning in FGT, on more than 1 occasion!)

W Sukanya

Doesn't this pic say enough of what kind of students we are? (Hint: For you blur cases, look at the T-shirt!)

W Pin Tet a.k.a. Mr. Birthday Boy

W Jacelyn, Ron & Arif

W Stella

W Jeremy & Tshek Zen, my Selectives buddies (and possibly study groupies?)

Clockwise from top: Kaarthikeshen, Yew Loong, Jun Yet, Dan, & Yours Truly

Cheers ppl! Give God the glory in whatever you do! Soli Deo Gloria!

~Tim~

Heaven

2008-08-29T20:39:00.001+08:00

Finally, I'm posting again!! As my blog faithful would know, the lack of posts on my blog over the last two weeks (sigh, it has been that long huh?) has been due to the fact that I was BUSY BUSY BUSY studying for my mid-sem exam which I juz sat for 2 days ago. Yeah, I know I could have updated earlier, but betta late than never right? :P Anyway, I promise you that this post is going to be a feast for the eyes (yes, I know some of you are scrolling down already! :D), and my "post-exam post" is not going to be mainly about pictures with people (unlike Terence's) or as short as Jun Yet's LOL! :)

Newae, I know most of you would have come across the question: "What would you do if you won a million dollars?" before. There's the typical "saint" answers like "Oh, I would donate it to the poor!" or "I would sponsor a campaign or fund an organisation that stands for good works!" etc. Still, more "honest" ones would admit that they would use it for themselves or people close to their hearts. Whatever your choice, chances are, how often would one actually win such a large amount of cash?

Personally, if I ever get hold of one million dollars (or Ringgit after conversion ;P), I would decide to travel the world. Most of my life has been spent in Malaysia, a tropical country where it's humid all the time; where food lovers all around the world come to taste juicy cuisines and savour the results of fine culinary skills that make this country a gastronomic heaven; where we are renowned to have the tallest twin towers in the world; and where the political scene is but the butt of jokes worldwide. Ahh.. Malaysia! Malaysia! 20 years I have spent on Malaysian soil, how long more will it be before I get my opportunity to roam the world?

There's a whole world to see, feel and experience out there. From Paris, the city of love; to the vast urban jungle of the Big Apple (NYC); and there's the crisp and fresh air of the mountainous Swiss Alps. Then there's the global city of entertainment: Las Vegas; the luscious savannas of the African continent; and the beautiful reefs of Australia's waters. I could go on about everything I feel like doing that's within my somewhat vast knowledge of Geography... but what's the point? It's something I can juz dream about right now. Maybe someday my dream will come true, and if it is according to God's plan, I'll fulfill it with a special someone.

In the meantime, I can juz look at beautiful photographs of urban jungles all around the globe and admire the amazing concrete and metallic works of man's hands, and the magnificent lighting that usually encompasses them. Thus, I've included some pics of my favourite and most beautiful cities in the world for your viewing pleasure:

And presenting, last but not least, Kuala Lumpur!

Oops!! Sorry, nothing to see... TNB cut off the power supply!! :D

But you know what, the city of Heaven is greater and far more superior than any city than any man can ever build. Even the most advanced and modern cities face many problems. Pollution (at least thermal and sound), crime, health problems, and decreasing area of land for development are juz some of these problems.

On the other hand, the Bible in Revelation 21:1-4 says that Heaven (the Holy City of God) is a city of NO PROBLEMS: No death, sorrow, crying or pain! Scholars have visualised Heaven as a city where the streets are made of gold! Best of all is that we will finally get to see our Father who will dwell amongst all who are chosen to be saved in the name of Jesus Christ, who died on the Cross for a purpose: to save all mankind from the grip of sin. Oh, and admission into Heaven is a gift from God to men. In other words, it's free! You don't have to win a million bucks to get there. All you have to do is pray and accept the Lord Jesus Christ into your life and live according to what He says in the Bible.

Unfortunately for some, they will never see the beautiful city of Heaven. The Bible says that death awaits those who do not believe in Christ, our Saviour King. John 8:51 says, "I tell you the truth, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death."

For those who know me and wanna find out more about what is stated above regarding Heaven and issues pertaining to it, feel free to drop me a message so that I can liaison with you, if possible (I'm in KL now). Oh and FYI I'm joining the Evangelism Explosion or EE, a global movement that aims to fulfill the Great Commission. This is going to be a leap of faith for me too as it not only requires a passion to serve others through evangelism, but it's going to require commitment and time for a good 13 weeks or so!

Yeah, I guess that's all I'm gonna write for this post-exam post of mine. For those that wanna know, my exam went alright, and I found the questions easier than the ones I sat for during the mid-year (probably because I didn't blog since I started my proper revision LOL!). However, I'm glad the Lord saw me through the 1st sem, and I know He'll see me through the rest of the year! :)

~Tim~

(Dis)Illusioned

2008-08-15T20:53:00.007+08:00

Hey, it's me again updating my blog. (finally!) Now don't give me that disapproving look if you feel I don't update my blog more often. Being a medical student, you should be grateful that at least I take some of my precious time to keep this page alive! (hey, I update more often than most of my meddy peers yo! That's a known, well-established fact! :P) Been really busy lately, studyin for my mid-sem exams which is juz around the corner. Yes, in less than 2 weeks (see my countdown for more info), the Year Ones will be sitting for yet another exam. *Sighs*

Anyways...

According to the glossary of psychiatric terms in my medical syllabus, the word illusion refers to a specific form of sensory distortion. It describes a misinterpretation of a true sensation. Illusions may occur with more of the human senses than vision, but visual (optical) illusions are the most well known and understood. The emphasis on visual illusions occur because vision often dominates the other senses. For your viewing pleasure, I've incorporated a bunch of them below (compliments of Jacelyn! =D):

11 ships OR 3 ships + 8 arches?

Do you see faces OR all houses?

How many horses in this picture? Should find 7!

People OR faces?

A picture puzzle!

People OR flowing water?

See more than one deer?

Look at the middle column. Where does it end?

Do you see 4 people?

What do you see here? Do you see the word 'LIFT'?? Or, a bunch of black splotches?

GIRLS ARE ABLE TO SPOT THE WORD 'LIFT' EASILY; MEN FIND IT DIFFICULT TO SEE THE WORD 'LIFT'!

Sometimes in real life, we too can see things from a distorted or biased point of view... things are not always what they seem. The events that happen around us, in our community, in the country, as well as globally, affect us in one way or another, whether we realise it or not. As I learnt previously in secondary school, the word "History" actually comes from the two words, "His story". Hence, a story or event retold by another takes into account that person's stand and beliefs about it, with no hint of subjectivity at its core.

We are made to think differently when 'disillusioned'. All sense of right and wrong is mindfully warped, critical reasoning affected and any abstract form of reasoning diminished. Perception... the key to which every action, word and thought is based upon. How you react to a situation is how you perceive it to be. For example, pain is something felt by the body, and it can be intense due to a dislocated shoulder or bone fracture, or as mild as what one might feel as a result of a needle prick or papercut. However no matter the intensity, for some, pain is all in the mind. They channel all the pain via other pathways and this could either be a good or bad thing.
Focus. Most of us need it. Some lack it. Others utilise it for more than one action a.k.a. multi-tasking. All of us need something to motivate us to focus on doing something worth doing. What's yours?
Think about it.
~Tim~

Lessons

2008-08-07T23:18:00.002+08:00

Soon, a new dawn will come...

A new day will begin...

Another chance to live another day...

An opportunity to uphold what is just and cast out the demons inside you...

Life is but something you only go through ONCE...

Therefore, live it to the fullest with no regrets...

Life is not measured by how long we live, but how we live...

And it starts by getting right with God, treating others the way we want to be treated, and respecting our individual rights and self-worth.

It's God first, others next, then you... with no compromise.

5 real-life lessons contributed by others to make you think about the way we treat people:

1 - First Important Lesson - Cleaning Lady.
During my second month of college, our professor gave us a pop quiz. I was a conscientious student and had breezed through the questions until I read the last one:
"What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?" Surely this was some kind of joke. I had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was tall, dark-haired and in her 50s, but how would I know her name?
I handed in my paper, leaving the last question blank. Just before class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward our quiz grade.
"Absolutely," said the professor. "In your careers, you will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say "hello."
I've never forgotten that lesson. I also learned her name was Dorothy.

2. - Second Important Lesson - Pickup in the Rain

One night, at 11:30 p.m., an older African-American woman was standing on the side of an Alabama highway trying to endure a lashing rainstorm. Her car had broken down and she desperately needed a ride. Soaking wet, she decided to flag down the next car. A young white man stopped to help her, generally unheard of in those conflict-filled 1960s. The man took her to safety, helped her get assistance, and put her into a taxicab.
She seemed to be in a big hurry, but wrote down his address and thanked him. Seven days went by and a knock came on the man's door. To his surprise, a giant console color TV was delivered to his home. A special note was attached.
It read: "Thank you so much for assisting me on the highway the other night. The rain drenched not only my clothes, but also my spirits. Then you came along. Because of you, I was able to make it to my dying husband's bedside just before he passed away... God bless you for helping me and unselfishly serving others."

Sincerely, Mrs. Nat King Cole.

3 - Third Important Lesson - Always remember those who serve.

In the days when an ice cream sundae cost much less, a 10-year-old boy entered a hotel coffee shop and sat at a table. A waitress put a glass of water in front of him.

"How much is an ice cream sundae?" he asked.

"Fifty cents," replied the waitress.

The little boy pulled is hand out of his pocket and studied the coins in it.

"Well, how much is a plain dish of ice cream?" he inquired.

By now more people were waiting for a table and the waitress was growing impatient. "Thirty-five cents," she brusquely replied.

The little boy again counted his coins.

"I'll have the plain ice cream," he said.

The waitress brought the ice cream, put the bill on the table and walked away. The boy finished the ice cream, paid the cashier and left. When the waitress came back, she began to cry as she wiped down the table. There, placed neatly beside the empty dish,were two nickels and five pennies..

You see, he couldn't have the sundae, because he had to have enough left to leave her a tip.

4 - Fourth Important Lesson. - The Obstacle in Our Path.

In ancient times, a King had a boulder placed on a roadway. Then he hid himself and watched to see if anyone would remove the huge rock. Some of the king's wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by and simply walked around it. Many loudly blamed the King for not keeping the roads clear, but no one did anything about getting the stone out of the way.

Then a peasant came along carrying a load of vegetables. Upon approaching the boulder, the peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the stone to the side of the road. After much pushing and straining, he finally succeeded. After the peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purse lying in the road where the boulder had been. The purse contained many gold coins and a note from the King indicating that the gold was for the person who removed the boulder from the roadway. The peasant learned what many of us never understand!

Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve our condition.

5 - Fifth Important Lesson - Giving When it Counts...

Many years ago, when I worked as a volunteer at a hospital, I got to know a little girl named Liz who was suffering from a rare & serious disease. Her only chance of recovery appeared to be a blood transfusion from her 5-year old brother, who had miraculously survived the same disease and had developed the antibodies needed to combat the illness. The doctor explained the situation to her little brother, and asked the little boy if he would be willing to give his blood to his sister.

I saw him hesitate for only a moment before taking a deep breath and saying, "Yes I'll do it if it will save her." As the transfusion progressed, he lay in bed next to his sister and smiled, as we all did, seeing the color returning to her cheek. Then his face grew pale and his smile faded.

He looked up at the doctor and asked with a trembling voice, "Will I start to die right away".

Being young, the little boy had misunderstood the doctor; he thought he was going to have to give his sister all of his blood in order to save her.Hope these passages inspired you to rethink how sometimes we take things, situations and most importantly, people, for granted. Well, now you can change for the better; doing what is right, doing what matters and doing that which can leave a good impression and legacy that will stand the test of time in the hearts of many.

I hope reading this inspired you to rethink how we treat others around us. More often than not, we tend to take things, situations and most importantly, people, for granted. But all that can change; let us do that which we know is right, that which matters, and that which will make an impact and impression on others around us... a legacy that will stand the test of time.

Father James Keller once said, "A candle loses nothing of its light by lighting another candle."

~Tim~

HEALING RALLY

2008-08-03T19:58:00.005+08:00

Yes, I know it has been exactly ONE WEEK since I updated my blog. But as some (or most) of you would know, I along with my other fellow Year One meddies spent 5 days in Segamat (Tak Yee's hometown!!) from the 28th of July to the 1st of August. It was supposed to be a rural site visit, with its primary objective being to expose us to the healthcare system in "not-so-modern" areas of the country. What was ironic was that Segamat, although being quite far away from Johor Bahru, was not all that rural. Heck, there were plenty of fast food outlets, restaurants, most of the roads were paved, and we stayed in a hotel for the entire event!!

We adhered to a scheduled timetable which consisted mainly of visits to a health office, a palm oil factory (which I disliked; it was smelly, humid, and to me, purposeless), and various visits to both rural and community clinics in Segamat. Our transportation to these places was mainly by buses and the Monash vans. All of us were divided into 12 groups and given assignments and tasks that needed to be completed at a specific time in the future. Thus, most of the days were normal 8 in the morning to 6 in the evening. Breakfast and lunch were provided, but we were asked to find our own dinner each day. Not that we were complaining of course, since it gave my friends and I plenty of time to venture around the vicinity of the hotel to look for food. :) It also gave us time to socialise, play basketball and football, go shopping (there's a Giant supermarket next to the hotel!) and chill after each day's arduous and lengthy schedule.

Highlight of this camp: Probably and arguably the durians!! (Arguably because I know Rachel, Nick & Pat will strongly disagree :P) On the first day, we were treated to a truckload of durians sponsored by the hotel manager. There were plenty of durians to go around, with no shortage whatsoever. Even an avid lover of the 'king of all fruits' such as I was filled to the brim on that day. If you thought that was it, well guess again. On Wednesday, half of the group visited the Juaseh Dam, which was the designated health office this time. After an interesting experience being 100 feet or so underwater (as we went down the dam shaft), we were treated with another round of durians compliments of the dam manager. And this time, they were better; more yellowish, aromatic and tasty! The flesh was really juicy as well. I know my dad would love them too!

Oh for those who are scrolling down looking for pictures of the rural site visit, you won't find them here. That's because I posted all the best ones that I took on FACEBOOK already, and you gotta add me as a friend to view them. =P Here's a quick link to my Facebook profile where you can find the photos --> link

For this post, I'd like to touch upon the gift of healing (hence the title). You may ask, why the random topic? Well, it is NOT random, and I can justify it by saying that I witnessed God's miraculous and divine, omnipotent power through a famed healer known as Roy Durman. Yesterday night I went to my church FGT and as mentioned earlier, saw the Almighty One's power, in particular to heal the sick. It was a healing rally hosted by FGT, and Roy Durman, (if I'm not mistaken he is 82 years of age), was God's tool to reach out to the people here and sending them a message that God is indeed real and that He loves us, his ultimate sacrifice being Jesus Christ's death on the Cross.

As I am typing this, the final night of the rally is going on. Scheduled for three nights in a row, each night Mr. Durman would focus on specific diseases and disabilities that people had. Not everyone who was there and prayed for was healed, as healing only came upon those who believed without a shadow of a doubt that Christ is real and He could heal them. However, yesterday night, I witnessed the deaf hear, the dumb speak, the lame walk and people with certain blood diseases cured. It was truly something extraordinary, and anyone who was there would be taken aback, breathless by the astounding glory of God's power. Tonight, Mr. Durman said he would focus on people suffering from cancer and its effects. On Friday night, he focused on people with hernias and lumps on their breasts, and those who had it and believed that Christ could heal them were cured instantly. It is as the Bible writes in John 5 where Jesus healed the leper at the pool of Bethesda. Science and medicine cannot explain it. All I have to believe this undescribable phenomenon is FAITH. And FAITH is what gives people HOPE.

These are juz some of the pics I managed to 'sneak' to the front to take. Most of the pics were taken by expensive SLRs and high-quality cameras. Oh and the entire session was recorded on video as well. =) Yeah, anyway I think I'll end here ppl. Till my next one, toodles!

Smile! =D

p.s. my finger's getting a little better gradually, juz wanna thank all those who prayed for me and are continuing to do so... God bless!!

~Tim~