my 10th blog. it's crazy i know.


Every blog serves a different purpose. This is a spiritual journal. Not that it can worship or transcend natural for that matter, but because it is a journal of my spiritual journey.

Christian to Christian; Heart to heart. I invite all fellow Christians to join me as i attempt to capture spiritual experiences in human words. And i pray we'll all last till the end.

music. film. literature



i like this song. 雖然我願意 by 伍家輝



just watched these two films.

1. Taxi (1)



A French film about a highly skilled taxi driver (Daniel) and a cop (Emilien) with zero driving sense. Emilien hires Daniel to help in nabbing a trail of German bank robbers. Mechanically astonishing with a fun-witted plot and laced with French sensual humor, this film is well-deserving of a 8.5/10 rating. Trust me, it's good.


2. 童夢奇緣 (Wait 'til You're Older)



Starring Andy Lau, this film speaks of a boy who longs to grow up and run away from home. He blames his dad for killing his mum, and takes out his hatred upon Karen Mok who plays his step-mum. This film expounds the notion "growing up," going beyond the physical sense. Good acting, good plot, good moral story. Rating: 8/10



lastly, literature review.

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini.



Based in Afghanistan, The Kite Runner relates the life of Amir; how he longed for his father's attention, his twisted relationship with childhood playmate/slave Hassan, and slips a glimpse of the oppressiveness of Taliban. A powerful debut, the emotional depth of the story will continue to haunt readers for long after.

Sichuan vs Burma/Myanmar.


Channel 8 has just organized a charity program specially to raise funds for the Sichuan earthquake. If you've noticed, Sichuan news always came first, on tv news and on newspapers. The Sichuan earthquake has a wider coverage, with more images, videos, and articles. Most Singaporeans I know have been blogging and talking about the Sichuan earthquake and how it has claimed tens of thousands of lives.


What about Myanmar?


Some facts:
China's deathtoll: 65,000 (as of May 26)
Myanmar's deathtoll: 134,000 dead or missing (as of May 26)

China: open to international aid.
Myanmar: has been rejecting foreign aid. Has only agreed to let foreign aid in late last week. Will they keep to their word? History doubts it. UN says that only 1/4 of cyclone victims has received aid.


By "aid," it means this:
"One told us that the government's aid effort, praised in the state media as a rousing success, amounted to a choice of one small packet of noodles or one egg per family per day." Taken here.


Myanmar is one of the most closed-up countries in the world. The ruling military junta has been oppressive, even after the cyclone struck. Checkpoints prevented aid from reaching the worst-hit areas. In return for access, some aid workers have to bribe soldiers with their aid supply. Aid surrendered to soldiers have little possibility of reaching the victims.

Taken from New York Times, roads are lined with people hoping to be fed.

In areas hit by the cyclone, most victims are left to fend for themselves. They are expected to rebuild homes, roads, and basically their lives. Sometimes the junta would hire citizens to rebuild roads, and PAY them a packet of AID with World Food Program logo printed on them.


Amidst such a huge disaster, not mentioning the government's horrendous negligence, the ruling junta had the cheek to conduct a vote on the new Constitution which will "prolong their rule by, among other things, allotting 25 percent of parliamentary seats to the military" (taken here). Most citizens did not even see the ballots; they were marked out for them by those associated with the ruling junta.


While the citizens battle malnutrition, disease and shelter problems, the ruling junta remains concerned ONLY with securing political rule and showcasing to the world a facet of control.


We are witnessing a humanitarian crisis unfolding itself. As French ambassador Jean-Maurice Ripert warned, “a true crime against humanity.” Are we going to remain nonchalant about it?

I believe most of you would have heard about my father's passing.

Many thanks to all who came down over the past few days. Friends from youth, tertiary and adults. It felt like a personal reunion gathering. And thanks to zz and mau who helped inform and organize the coming downs.

Have been really busy over the past few days. Of waking up early and sleeping late. Pardon me if i hadn't replied your msgs. The days have been unimaginably long and dreadful--rituals were meaningless and sleep-inducing, and it's emotionally torturing the way you're expected to remain sad for seemingly forever. I want to move on already but tradition didn't allow me to.

The past few days were when i had spent the most amount of time with my family and relatives than all my life added together. It's like cny part two, only a sad version of it. We learned more about one another than we ever would. And i learned how lonely it would be to die without a family.

The amount of thoughts that ran through my mind over the past one week were so plentiful they could fill up a book. Possibly one like The Kite Runner which I have just done reading. And no, zz, it's not a picture book full of kites. Anyway, I have no idea where to start from and so i guess i'll skip the chunk of it.






You might not believe it but I don't have many memories of my father. Not many for me to look back and ponder over. What I remember is how he could clear his throat and spit a mouthful every time he exits from his car. That's how i'd know he's back. How, when i was really young, my father used to kiss me on my forehead before I sleep. I remember how stubby the hairs around his mouth felt. And that was about all the physical contact i ever got from him. We seldom talked. More so after our family got into a slump financially.

Yesterday I was talking to one of my cousins. She's a decade older than me, and have had a fun childhood--playing around with my other older cousins--something i have been deprived of. She have also seen grandmother, who had passed away when i was a year plus.

"Grandmother had always been worrying about (uncle Jimmy). He was very lazy, and grandmother worried if he could find a job, etc. Uncle Jack (my father), on the other hand, has always been working very hard all his life."

For the first time i realized how true that statement was.



Although my father didn't have an official religious belief, he has had many opportunities to know God. He was from a missionary school, attended church for a period of time, had relatives who tried to share the gospel to him before, and i had brought him to christmas service once or twice before on the basis that i was performing.

As he laid there in the hospital bed, i wonder if he prayed to God. The One he heard of decades ago in secondary school, and from the mouths of so many around him. I wonder if looming death made people more spiritual, in hope that they may live.





I havent been the best daughter to my father. But i know i have to learn to live with these regrets. His passing has brought our family closer together in an unwilling sense, and has burdened me with the task of sharing to my mother. Without my father around, my mother has grown emotionally reliant on me and my brother. I see where God is leading me towards, albeit my reluctance.

Taken from The Kite Runner (in Farsi):
Zendagi migzara, life goes on.

It has to, and it will.

Will be away for uni camp from 16/5 (fri) to 19/5 (mon).

Till then, take care!
:)

Semester II: 2007/08


It has been a strenuous one.
But as usual i've reaped much from it.
Learned dreamweaver, flash, video editing, scriptwriting and filming.


Learned journalism.
And one essential characteristic of journalists: boldness.

It's the first time I approached the nus administration and unashamedly request for interviews and statistics.

The first time I feel the privilege of being a journalist. People in high positions tend to pay attention to you. They might even be afraid of you, that you might write things that reflect them in a negative light. Interviewees are more willing to talk to you because they want to be heard.

And it's the first time i feel the power of journalism. Unveil administrative flaws, expose the nonchalance of people in power, giving a voice to the unheard.



Okay, i kinda overestimated the power of journalism. There are limitations too, on what can be written and what not. But throughout this semester, the more i write the articles, the more passionate i am for journalism. Which was why i was so excited and hyped up about the online newspaper.


Speaking of which, my lecturer has actually revealed to us something.

"My dear Oasis journalists,

Your lovely website is now online at http://linda.perry.net/nm3211/oasis (accessible
through the Projects page on the 3211 website). It is excellent work and scored an A. How
much of that numerical score you received depended on your peer evaluations and my
observations."

Woohoo! (And i think she's really proud of us!)
It has been a wonderful module, seriously. Heavy workload, but the end product is a total satisfaction. nm3211. Woot.



So that was how the last semester went.

Every hols i'll get hyped up thinking about the amount of free time i have and what i can do/learn. And i'll come up with a list such as the one below. And the list has the potential to stretch on forever till eternity. Thus is the power of optimistic planning.


My Summer Plan 2008.

1. Find a job. Intern/part-time.
2. Learn shorthand.
3. Learn speed-typing.
4. Learn how to use a slr. (My bro agreed to lend me his. Yay!)
5. Watch tons of movies.
6. Read tons of books.
7. Read the news daily.
8. Exercise once/twice a week.
9. Find a publication to freelance for.
10. Maybe sign up for french/jap lessons at a community centre.

And of course not forgetting fellowshipping sessions, ktv sessions, and makan sessions. (I'm itching for alcohol actually.) Aside from all these it'll be good if i start reading up on financial planning. How to repay your uni loan in five years that kinda material. Or even How to find a man who would pay your debts. Just kidding.



Shorthand update.
So far i've been learning easyscript, one of the shorthand systems available. I find it tough to memorize all the rules (even though there are only a few of them.) And i also find it a lil tough to transcribe shorthand because the same shorthand can be used for several words. Perhaps i need more practice. For that, I intend to take down sermon notes in shorthand. So if you see me writing rubbish i'm actually trying shorthand.

Movies update.
Calling You
門徒
投名狀
無間道I
2046
The Godfather.
Taxi.
Please Teach Me English.
Sugar & Spice
Love of May
I Heart Huckabees.

Any movies to recommend? Remember storyline, cinematography.



So what are your plans for this holidays?

Our Sweat and Blood.




This is how the website looks like!!
And here's the link!
http://linda.perry.net/nm3211/oasis/index.html
It is best viewed on Internet Explorer!

I've got four articles published!
ONE, TWO, THREE, FOUR!!!

And i should stop exclaiming!!!




(And in case you're wondering.... here's the competition.)
http://linda.perry.net/nm3211/scoop/homepage/index.html
(I'm not comparing hor. =X)

because i was tagged.


1) At what age do you wish to marry?
Maybe late 20s. maybe never.


2) What you want the most now?
Contentment.


3) Who is the person you trust the most?
God. Okay that's three persons.


4) Do you think you have enough confidence?
I have just enough confidence in God to get through life's demands.


5) If you have a dream to come true, what would it be?
Become a real journalist.


6) Do you believe in seeing a rainbow after the rain?
Er, that's scientific ain't it. If the water vapors and sunlight's in the right amount and direction, why not?


7) What is your goal for this year?
Get a job. Learn new things. Experience new peoples. Face new challenges.


8) Do you believe in eternal love?
Er, in God lor.


9) if you're allowed to change a thing, just 1 thing in your life, what would it be?
My family. But that's a gift from God. So ain't changing.


10) What feeling do you love the most?
The feeling of being loved.


11) What do you most fear?
To die with regrets.


12) What feeling do you hate the most?
Of being lonely. Not alone, but lonely. They're different.


13) Do you cherish every single friendship of yours?
I don't think so. Many a times i take people for granted.


14) Do you believe in love at first sight?
No. How can love, in its depth and meaning, be based solely on something as shallow as looks?


15) What do you think is the most important thing in your life?
Following God.


16) Who do you hope to be always there for you?
If they're there, they're there.


17) Who are your best friends?
Why does this sound like primary school autograph writing session.


18)Who cares for you the most?
I don't know. I don't have a weighing machine to weigh every one's care.


19)Which date you like the most?
None. They're all the same.


20) How are you feeling right now?
Nothing much. This questionnaire is boring.

Hello.


It's been some time since i last blogged. So many things have happened since then that i have no idea where to start. Chi (teh peng) has opened her eyes and they're so big now. She has started walking too (and enjoys falling off tables.) She's with xinying for now but her cat ain't friendly with the newcomer. Anyone interested in adopting it, please contact xinying.


Exams are over and they went fine. Online newspaper's done too and i'm uber proud of it. In my humble opinion i think it trashed our competitors' and all those from the previous semesters. Will put up the link when it's published.


Johanna and Sherli flew off to Guangzhou and Chiangmai respectively. For internship and ocip. Will definitely miss their presence. Kez' flying off on tues too to Korea. I'll be heading overseas too. What a shame to be using that word since it's just gonna be st. john's island and shah alam. Nonetheless it's rest time still.


The heart is heavy because some things happened at home. Sometimes i wish i don't have to be that strong. I don't mind being pampered and childish yunno. I really don't. But i guess different people have different lives to live. And no matter what, life still goes on. How cliched.







I don't normally share the nitty-grits that go on in my life because they're plain boring. But when i do, it's usually because i have a point to make.

I was on my train the other day, on my way to church from city hall to somerset. A short trip, but i was blessed with a seat. Standing in front of me was an RGS girl with her male counterpart.

Throughout the however short train ride, the guy went on and on about how his rgs friend should be given a seat on the train. And it got worse after the rgs girl lost an empty seat to a small kid.

"You should be sitting you know. It's tiring to wake up at 6am for school and i doubt that kid has to wake up at 6am for school every day. I don't see why he should be given the seat and not you."

(Notes)
1. I just witnessed a small girl lose her footing and knock into a train pole in the morning. Her lips bled and thereafter people started giving up seats for her and her family.
2. It was a Saturday. I'd like to give them the benefit of doubt but i highly suspect the possibility of waking up for school at 6am on a weekend. In any case, you're still so young lah! Can't you tahan for a train ride for goodness sake?!
3. I couldn't help but link this whole incident to the "please, get out of my elite uncaring face" statement by another rgs girl. It may be a terribly unfair equation to make but this is called reputation yunno. I feel ashamed for having aspired to enter rgs when i was 11.
4. I wonder if the boy's from RI. Stereotyping to the max.

And so the boy went on and on and on and on about the woes of his friend not having a seat. I couldn't help but frown at him but apparently he was oblivious about my dismay. The next stop is Somerset and i have a nudging foreboding. I started looking around for pregnant women, old people, small kids to whom i may give up the seat to. But i found none.

Suddenly Singapore ain't aging anymore.


I gave in to how unfair life is. When i got up at my destination, i was 99% sure that the rgs girl took over my seat.