Sunday, September 30, 2007 . 10:13 PM

woke up after september ended

hello folks,

sorry for my sudden disappearance from the bloggosphere. So much has happened over the past month I really don't know where to start. For one, school has begun - and fast, and I'm already feeling pretty spent after just 4 weeks of school. B-A-D. I can only ascribe to my failure at planning a good timetable and for "overestimating" my finite abilities.

Am taking 8 graded mods this sem, of which Biochemistry and Inorganic Chem forms the "core" subjects for me this sem. Inorganic Chem was really fun at first, until I was thrown into the repulsive realm of quantum physics, and yes, the stupid Schroedinger's equation... EWWWWW.. You guys know how much I detest physics. Yuck! Biochem's great too, just that the class is flooded with freakin pre-meds, and how they always screw up the curves... argh. I never fail not to hear some pre-meds (i assume) behind me testing one another the 20 amino acids to we have to memorize.... which is aliphatic, polar etc... "Oh, L's not lysine. It's leucine. Remember there are only 2 amino acids with Ls but lysine's the one with the K," declares one all-knowing smart-alec to his friend, who mixed lysine up with leucine. PREMEDS! *hmph*

Surprisingly, I've piqued an interest in Anthropology, which I was at first quite put off because of the amount of readings. There's a fair amount of work in this class, but the discussions and topics that we touched on, on the fundamentals of cultures and diversity, really shed light to a relatively 2dimensional subject (or so i thought) into something really amazing. We watch films almost every week during lecture and I think the prof's not bad. Linguistics would be the most therapeutic class of all... It keeps my mind away from all the science stuff, and it's very interesting. I have 2 labs (my own research and Ochem lab), and a couple of seminar classes that I've to juggle with as well.... so yeah, very VERY stretched this sem. :(

BUT...................... It's not all work and no play! Though I end up having guilt trips whenever i engage in things I really shouldn't be doing (like watching bleach/naruto or playing DinerDash2). I attended my first Games day a couple of weeks ago! IT WAS AWESOME! Early in the morning, people were already streaming into Camp Randall (our school stadium), all dressed in red (yea! wisconsin's school color!) - and we were no exceptions. School spirit was extremely strong. Fellow Badgers (that's what we call ourselves - Badger's our school animal) hollering "EAT SH*T, F*** YOU!" to any opponent supporters seen standing around our spectator area, clanging our keys at the start of a new game, "vibrating" forward and backward whenever we get a touch down.... Don't really get why, but we followed anyhow.
September's also a month for birthdays! Kayi's 20th on the 9th, Harwin's 21st on the 16th, and Royston's 22nd just last tuesday, during Mid-Autumn Fest. The 7 of us shared a mooncake, had some green tea and admired my beautiful softwhite ceiling light.

Thursday, September 27, 2007 . 4:10 AM

gunman on the loose!!!

Last night: UW Police and City of Madison Police are currently searching for a suicidal man who claims to have a gun. They appealed to everyone to stay indoors if possible, so serious is it that cab fares will be paid by UW-Madison for a ride back to their residences.

I woke up this morning.... it's just like any other day. Nonetheless, F-R-E-A-K-Y!

dash

Saturday, September 22, 2007 . 12:31 AM

We're flying... You and Me....

You know the world can see us
In a way that's different than who we are
Creating space between us
'Til we're separate hearts
But your faith it gives me strength
Strength to believe
We're breakin' free
We're soarin'
Flyin'
There's not a star in Heaven
That we can't reach
If we're trying
Yeah, we're breaking free

Monday, September 17, 2007 . 12:37 AM

Authentic Faith

“Authentic Faith - the kind that evokes extreme reactions from those it touches - is a faith characterised by faithfulness in both word and deed. It’s not blind faith. Real faith is illuminating. It creates courage in the coward to stand fast on the promises of God, even in the presence of the threats of men. It’s not always in the cloak of outwardly religious words and worship. It’s based on our relationship to Jesus Christ, and it results in obedience to His commands. Experiencing God is the result of authentic faith.”

Governor Mike Huckabee

Friday, September 14, 2007 . 12:22 PM

Communion

Got this email a few wks back. Quite an interesting read.

For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me." In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me." For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.
(1 Corinthians 11:23-26 TNIV)


Commentary: At the Table

I haven't had the privilege of leading in a Holy Communion service for a long time. If all goes according to plan, I will have the opportunity to do so this Sunday. And if I do I will try to prepare the congregation to take the elements by my usual exhortation on "the six directions of the Lord's Supper."

The first direction of the Lord's Supper is the backward direction. At the table we look backward in time and remember that Jesus came and died for us. We remember the historical basis of our faith. As we put the bread and the wine into our mouths, we remember that the Christian faith is not wishful thinking. It is real. It is based on things that really happened. We remember that God loved us enough to come and die for us so that He could give us life. (Luke 22:19)

The second direction of the Lord's Supper is the forward direction. I remember Jesus' promise that one day we will celebrate the Supper in His very presence at the end of time, when His programme to renew creation is finally completed. As I look at the pain and evil in the world (and this Sunday I will be thinking of my brothers and sisters who are hostages of the Taleban) I remember that it will not always be like this. One day, Jesus will return and heaven and earth will be one. And we will be joining in the celebratory feast in heaven. I find fresh energy to press on. (Mark 14:25)

The third direction of the Lord's Supper is what I call the "look around" direction. As I come to the Lord's table, I remember that I do not come alone. The Lord's Supper is a family meal. As I take it, I remember that I belong to the community of believers. I remember the corporate nature of the Christian faith. Indeed I remember Paul's warning that if I take the Lord's Supper and I am responsible for disunity in the church, I am opening myself up for serious divine spiritual discipline. (1Corinthians 11:27-34)

The fourth direction of the Lord's Supper is the outward direction. As I take the elements my heart is burdened by the fact that many are not yet at the table. I think of the many who have yet to receive the offer of life that Jesus proffers. I also remember that evangelism is not just confronting people with the cold rational truths of the faith. It is inviting people to a meal, to the feast of life that Jesus offers. (1Corinthians 11:26)

The fifth direction of the Lord Supper is the upward direction. I come to the table realising afresh my need for God and His grace. This week in particular I am really tired. I have just returned to Singapore after a full week of ministry in Malaysia to an exceptionally heavy week of ministry in Singapore. (I am hoping I can send this piece out in time.) As I come to the table I look up into the loving eyes of the Lord and remember that He stands waiting to feed me with His grace. I feast and am refreshed. (John 6:35)

Then there is the inward look. As I come to the Lord's table, I do an audit of my heart. I confess known sin. I resolve to put right things that need my attention. I remember the six directions of the Lord's Supper. No, I am not checking if I am holy enough to take Holy Communion. I fear some cheat themselves of the grace waiting at the table because they think they are not worthy of the elements. We will never be worthy enough. We come to the table precisely because we are not worthy and are in need of His grace. And He stands ready to receive all who come with humble hearts. (1Corinthians 11:28)

These then are the six directions of the Lord's Supper. I first encountered this useful reminder of the meaning of the Lord's Supper at a talk given by the Revd Canon Dr Michael Green many years ago. It has remained with me since because it is easy to remember and it so powerfully captures the richness of the meaning of the Lord's Supper.

I fear that too often we rush through the Supper. We do it because it is part of the liturgy. But our minds are not prepared. And so our hearts are not engaged. It doesn't help that I am from a believer's church tradition where, in reaction to Roman Catholic Theology, I was often told that the Lord's Supper was only a memorial.

Only a memorial? I beg to differ. The Lord's Supper is the commemoration of the Cross, the central act of God's revelation and God's love. And while I am not sure that the Lord is in the bread and the wine, I am very sure that the Lord, in His Spirit, is at His table. And waiting to feed us.

This Sunday I approach the table with joy and gratitude. And have the privilege to invite my brothers and sisters to join me. I pray that at the Lord's table we will find fresh grace for our pilgrimage on earth. And fresh resolve to press on till that day when we will feast with Jesus face to face.

Slacker

Wednesday, September 12, 2007 . 12:24 AM

Wait For You

Baby I will wait for you
If you think I'm fine it just aint true
I really need you in my life
No matter what i have to do I'll wait for you...

Slacker

Dancing With God

When I meditated on the word Guidance,
I kept seeing "dance" at the end of the word.
I remember reading that doing God's will is a lot like dancing.
When two people try to lead, nothing feels right.
The movement doesn't flow with the music,
and everything is quite uncomfortable and jerky.
When one person realizes that, and lets the other lead,
both bodies begin to flow with the music.
One gives gentle cues, perhaps with a nudge to the back
or by pressing Lightly in one direction or another.
It's as if two become one body, moving beautifully.
The dance takes surrender, willingness,
and attentiveness from one person
and gentle guidance and skill from the other.
My eyes drew back to the word Guidance.
When I saw "G": I thought of God, followed by "u" and "i".
"God, "u" and "i" dance."
God, you, and I dance.
As I lowered my head, I became willing to trust
that I would get guidance about my life.
Once again, I became willing to let God lead.
My prayer for you today is that God's blessings
and mercies are upon you on this day and everyday.
May you abide in God, as God abides in you.
Dance together with God, trusting God to lead
and to guide you through each season of your life.

Slacker

Sunday, September 09, 2007 . 3:35 AM

you'll know it's after a football game when...

you'll know it's after a football game when

my apartment's door gets rammed.... lotions, sports bottle, bikinis and pants lie around outside my block...

Saturday, September 08, 2007 . 12:50 PM

reminiscing SD and WY....

dash

Thursday, September 06, 2007 . 10:57 AM

falling back to mad city - Sioux Falls, South Dakota

1st september 2007, saturday

It's time to say goodbye to the lovely lodge the four had stayed for the past three nights. The two guys really couldn't part with their Serta mattress. How they wished they could each have one in their own rooms back in Madison. They would have loved another night's stay at KBarS lodge. Afterall, the four wanted to walk a trail to explore the forested areas just around the lodge but have never got down to doing so.


8th and final stop: SIOUX FALLS, South Dakota

Wednesday, September 05, 2007 . 3:14 AM

Devilicious - Sundance, Wyoming

31 august 2007, friday

6th stop: SUNDANCE, Wyoming

Their decision to go to Wyoming was last minute. While at the Jewel Cave, one of them saw a mile marker board that says the Devil's Tower is about 100 miles away from Custer - which isn't really far? Two hour drive maybe?

"Since we've already come this far, might as well!" declared the one with Oakleys.
Needless to say, the geography student was all hyped up and so was the travel bug.
"I remember seeing a picture of the Devil's Tower in my sec 1 geography textbook!" commented one.

So they went on to the next neighbouring state, Wyoming (one of the 2 geographically squarish states in the US) to Sundance, the gateway to the 1st national monument of the US. The Devil's Tower.

Here's what I call life size Wyoming's wildlife!

Tuesday, September 04, 2007 . 7:30 AM

The Shrine of Democracy - Keystone, South Dakota

30th august 2007, thursday