Friday, 30 March 2012
Saturday, 10 March 2012
On language
Had a sudden realization that there's a certain richness in Bahasa Melayu that I overlook. Certain words seem to capture meaning in a way other languages won't.
Meskipun badai silih berganti,
Pakailah sesuai dengan rencanaMu.
I'm sure the same goes for other languages; certain expressions will never be adequately expressed in English. Leaves one in anticipation for the day when knees take a bow and the tongues confess- what a glorious day! I wanna learn all the languages in the world.
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Here's to learning new languages, though I should really start with something Chinese-ey.
Friday, 24 February 2012
=)
Who would’ve thought this day would come?
And though it matters very little (now), it does put a smile on my face =). But seriously, who would’ve thought this day would come?
What vivid memories! I swear I was plucking microfibers from polymer melts only yesterday and I’m certain I’d do it just as well if I were in the lab today. How time flies! Has it really been that long?
I do wonder, I really do.
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Tonight I’ll dream dreams where the water flows ever so gently o’er the Thames. Oh, sweet Thames, run softly till I end my song.
Tuesday, 14 February 2012
Happy Valentines..
“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.”
That’s the way He loves us. But read it again. That’s what we are called to- the constant wooing, the constant forgiving, the constant yearning for the purity of your partner, the long-suffering, the constant loving- what a high call! Of course, this is about marriage, but it’s always helpful to have a reference point. Some ideals are simply worth keeping.
Oh, who am I to give advice? So take it from a married man
instead. Here’s a book for all the hopefuls on a beautiful V-Day: a sweet and bitter providence by Piper. You
can download the free PDF book here (it’s free and legal but buy it if you can
afford it). I really do hope that some of you will pick this book up because I
think it gives some insights on how a God-centred relationship would look like.
Let me whet your appetite with some choice excerpts:
“The question this chapter answers is, What do a God-saturated man, a God-dependent young woman, and a God-exalting older woman do when they are filled with hope in the sovereign goodness of God? The answer is that they manifest what I am going to call strategic righteousness.
By righteousness I mean a zeal for doing what is good and right—a zeal for doing what is fitting when God is taken into account as sovereign and merciful. By strategic I mean that there is intention, purposefulness, planning. There is a kind of inactive righteousness that simply avoids evil. But strategic righteousness takes the initiative and dreams of how to make things right.…
I imagine her pulse racing as Boaz awoke. Then come the all-important words: “I am Ruth . . . spread your wing over your maidservant.” I picture an immense silence for a moment while Boaz let himself believe that this magnificent woman had really understood—had so profoundly and sensitively understood. A middle-aged man is interested in a young widow whom he discreetly calls “my daughter” (2:8; 3:10–11), uncertain whether her heart might be going after the younger men, communicating with a subtle word picture that he wants to be God’s wings for her. Then a young widow gradually reads between the lines and finally risks an interpretation by coming in the middle of the night to take refuge under the wing of his garment. That’s powerful stuff! Anybody who thinks that a loose woman and a finagling mother-in-law are at work here are missing something beautiful. All is subtle. All is righteous. All is strategic..
Don’t be like the world. Be like Boaz. Be like Ruth. Profound in love. Subtle and perceptive in communication. Powerful in self-control. Committed to strategic righteousness.”
Wouldn’t that look beautiful? Profound in love, subtle and perceptive in communication, powerful in self-control, committed to strategic righteousness. Let’s all be that.
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May all of you have a lovely Valentines Day. Here's a piece of my heart:
Monday, 13 February 2012
A Valentine's Day story
Because V-Day is just round the corner, here's a short story I wrote some years ago which I still enjoy reading =).
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In a time not too long ago, in a land not too far away,
there lived a man and a woman. But they weren't just any ordinary man and
woman. You see, Mr Prince was the perfect man- Mr. Prince was single, had good
features, was very rich, a good listener, well mannered and love to help out
with the housework. He was a dream come true for the ladies.
Ms. Princess too was single, and was the most beautiful woman ever! She was so
exceedingly beautiful that people from distant lands heard of her beauty. She
was proper, intelligent, had a good sense of humour and thrifty with money- a
dream come true for the men. She was fit to be married to a prince.
Most importantly of all, these two people were madly in love with each. They
were such a fitting pair, so suited for each other, a perfect fit.
But their happiness was short lived for the big mean baddie tore them apart and
kidnapped Ms Princess. The big mean baddie was the local town bully who loved
to pick on everyone. It thrived on taking away people’s happiness and loved to
see people in sorrow. It commanded a big gang of little bullies called badlings
which wreaked havoc wherever they went. They would knock over old women
crossing the road, they would steal the clothes that were hung out to dry, they
would take away the children’s toys and candy. They were a real mean bunch, and
now they’ve taken captive of Ms. Princess.
The big mean baddie locked her up in a tower so high in the clouds that no eye
could ever see, nor any man could ever reach. It was guarded by countless of
badlings so that no one would ever reach her. Poor little Ms. Princess was left
all alone, sobbing and wailing- in the tower so high in the clouds that no eye
could ever see, nor any man could ever reach. But she never gave up hope and
waited for her prince that will one day come and save her.
Meanwhile, Mr. Prince was feeling so distraught that his beloved princess had
been taken away. He was filled with grief at the thought of the suffering that Ms
Princess had to endure. He knew that he had to save her, and that’s what
exactly he did- he was going to save his princess.
He wasted no time and made preparations for his journey. In haste, he gathered
some food, put on his most comfortable walking shoes and he picked up his
trusty old sword. He also brought deodorant as he wanted to smell good when he
finally met the princess and he brought along a small colourful box. He put it
all in a bag, said a short prayer for success and was on his way to save his
princess.
He spent countless of days searching high and low for his princess. He never
rested, nor did he sleep for there was no time to be wasted. Whenever he felt
tired, he thought of his princess and the thought of her inspired him and gave
him strength to go on. The more he thought of her, the more he was filled with
determination to continue his journey.
Alas, he finally saw the tower in the distance and he rejoiced. He did not fear
the numerous badlings that were guarding the tower for his princess was within
reach. He readied himself, and drew his sword and faced the legion of badlings
that were coming his way.
The first badling approached and they engaged in battle.
He swung his fist.
The badling leaned backwards and felt his knuckles swish past its nose.
It was furious and kicked back.
He ducked.
He drew his sword, lifted it high and with one mighty swing, he crushed the
first badling.
The other badlings came charging at him. Mr Prince was outnumbered a thousand to
one, but he didn’t fear the badlings for the love for his princess blinded his fears.
He engaged them head on- the thought of retreating never crossed his mind. The
badlings attacked Mr Prince ferociously. They swung their weapons at him but Mr
Prince overcame every single attack. Their attacks, he parried with his trusty
sword. He maneuvered his body skillfully dodging all their advances. And with
his sword, they struck his enemies one by one by one by one by one. He emerged
triumphant over the badlings.
The big mean baddie saw all of this happening and was boiling with rage! It
grumbled to itself and complained ‘if you want a job well done, you got to do
it yourself’. It picked up its weapon and headed to the battle field.
From afar they saw each other and they inched closer to each other with every
step taken. Finally, they came face to face- the hero of the day, and the
kidnapper of his beloved princess. They stared into each other’s eyes for a
long, long time. After realizing that neither would flinch, they drew their
weapons and the battle begun.
He swung his sword.
It blocked.
It swung its pitch fork.
He parried.
And their battle carried on. It was a long and tiring one- it lasted 3 days. Finally,
the decisive moment came. The big mean baddie swung its weapon striking Mr Prince’s
heel. He screamed in pain for it really hurt! But Mr Prince didn’t give up. He
couldn’t. His princess needed him. Again, he lifted his sword up high and with
one mighty blow, he crushed the big mean baddie’s head. He defeated the big
mean baddie once and for all and the battle drew to a close.
Mr Prince looked around at the battle field. The felt the sweat on his brow and
the wind on his face, he heard the trees swaying and saw the ground was blood
soaked red. The air- it smelled. Yes it smelled. It smelled of victory!
Now all that Mr. Prince had to do was to rescue his princess from the tower.
Yes, the tower that is so high in the clouds that no eye could ever see, nor
any man could ever reach. But you see, Mr Prince was no ordinary man- he was
the perfect man. And so the ascent to the top of the tower began. He climbed
the narrow stairway that spiraled all the way to the top, one step at a time.
Meanwhile, Ms Princess high up in the tower was watching all that was happening
down below. She heard the crowds cheer when the big mean baddie was defeated
and she knew that her prince will be coming soon to save her. So she groomed
herself, and did her hair, put on her makeup and perfume. Her heart was beating
with anticipation, awaiting her prince to rescue her and release her from the
tower which kept her captive. Yes, the tower so high in the clouds that no eye
could ever see, nor any man could ever reach.
Mr Prince on the other hand wasted no time hurrying up the stairs. The only
thing that kept them apart was time. The faster he could reach the top, the
sooner he’ll see her princess. He eventually reached the top of the stairway
and now, all that separated them was a door.
But before he broke down the door, he strew open the contents of his bag. He
grabbed his deodorant and applied it, making him smell really really good. He
also grabbed the small box wrapped in colourful paper. Now, he was all set to
break down the door. He took a few steps back, and charged at the door with all
his might. He gave it a mighty kick and the door came down. Behind the door was
his beloved princess and they were finally reunited.
They spent many hours catching up, telling each other how happy they were to
see each other again and they professed their love for each other. Amidst their
chatter, Mr Prince then remembered the small box wrapped in colourful paper
which he brought along. He reached for it and offered it to Ms Princess. In it
was a ring! And there and then, on the tower so high in the clouds that no eye
could ever see, nor any man could ever reach he proposed to Ms Princess, and
she accepted.
Many months later their wedding day came and the groom awaited her bride in the
local church. And he waited, and waited and waited.. And he’s still waiting.
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