Ocean Salt

Well, it's muh day off since I had to work on Saturday.

Ya, it was "Parent Observation Day" for all the parents who work during the week. Thus they come on their day off. I didn't have too many parents come. In fact, the ones that did seemed scared to actually come all the way into my room. Since it was a Saturday I told my kids that we'll just play some games and have fun with English. (uh, like that's any different from what I do Mon~Fri...haha..)

Today started out very, very cool. I found myself thinking about my family vacations every summer to Cape Cod or Martha's Vineyard (pleasant piano music softly playing in background). The cool breeze, the smell of salt from the ocean, the calm of the waves...ahhh. So, rising from my bed to look out the window, I saw: some family's underwear hanging on a pole across from the courtyard (insert harsh record scratch here).

haha...well, memories do keep one cool on a warm day.

I did some MCUBE work today. MCUBE is the multimedia ministry at our church that I'm doing my best to help out with. Dude...this group rocks. Everyone is growing in their willingness and care for each other to do the tasks that this ministry does. We are getting ready for our church's biggest event of the year...Deep Calleth Deep in December. And I'm convinced that we are going to work smooth as butter this year!

You know, working in a ministry has shown me something: Either I have terrible memory, or I'm just forgetful. (uh, yea...they sound the same, but they are....) Sometimes I'll have something very important to tell someone for an entire week. I'll see them all day on Sunday. Think I remember to say something? nope...nada....zilch. So, I send out a bombardment of emails and/or smses. I hope they forgive me...haha. Besides, most things said in passing are forgotten anyway.

I'm beginning to transfer all my DV tapes of my experience in Japan to DVD. This is going to take weeks...months even! Now I have greater respect for our production manager in the MCUBE. I need to do it when I'm not watching them, however, because if I sit down to watch all my friends, students, drumming friends, and homestay family in Kumamoto I'll get a wee-bit 2nd homesick. Natsukashii ne...mo, kaeta no hoo ga ii to omoimasu keredomo...mo ii desu. Koko no hoo ga irimasu ne.

Ok, I don't really have much more to glob about..oh, whoops...blog about (funny, they sound the same). Except one thing: today started out cool. Now it's 7pm and I'm SWEATING AS I TYPE THIS. Shameful...just shameful. I've come to the hard realization that there will not be one day when I'm in Singapore where I don't sweat. Unless I stay on bus 51 all day long...
Oh ya, my student from Japan emailed me. She's a great kid with near fluent English, and only 16 years old! She even told me about a little love interest some of my other students had on each other when I was over there. I would have never known it these two liked each other. I think the world could learn a lot about man / woman relationships from the Japanese....we could learn a lot of other stuff too...

Sore dewa, mata ne.....
-db

I was like "whoa..."

At church the other day, someone said something of profound proportions. It dawned on me that this statement has, is, and always will be true:

"Remember, when it's all gone, there's no more left."

You can't pay money for stuff like this....

...hahahahahahaaaaa!

peace-
-db

Natsukashii....(Japanese for nostalgia)

"Nausicaa"

By far my favorite Japanese anime character. I can't think of any better created character that exudes confidence, determination, faith, and character like this one...well done Mr. Miyazaki.

It seems to be more expensive to buy, cook, and clean up when it comes to cooking one's own food compared to eating out here in Singapore. I mean, I'm sure I can buy some bee hoon and vegetables, fire up the stove and slop it all together, but 'ol uncle and auntie will surely do a better job for less money.

I mean, yes, buying and cooking my own food is something I enjoy. It does give one a sense of ownership over what goes into the food. Basically you can really watch what you're cooking (no pun intended). Eating out doesn't give one that opportunity...you order and eat what they give you. You don't know how much salt or other "bad stuff" they've put into the dish. Over here it seems to be the MSG that gives the food the flavor. I've never had this much MSG in my life, if at all. I can definitely tell that I've (meaning my physical person) has changed a great deal from being here. Food, climate, etc. Yup...I'm slowly learning that all these things play a part in how one feels in both body and mind.

Like I've been a wee bit sick the past few weeks with something I've never tackled before. A weird uneasiness with everything I eat. Can't sleep at night, sweating all through the night and sometimes during the day, a massive sustained headache for the past 4 months (I NEVER get headaches...I can count the number of times I've had headaches in my life on both my hands), and just aches all over. Dude...I'm like, "wha...?" So I was talking to some of my American friends today and they were saying that they've all gone through the same thing. Hot, humid, and muggy conditions are breeding grounds for any type of "bug" that infects we humans. I concur. Sickness is something that is basically foreign to me, praise be to the Lord. (Ya, I was never a sickly kid....what I lacked in sickness phases were well balanced in silly phases...heh). This is the first time an "under the weather" type feeling is taking weeks to get over. Oh well, I'm confident that it'll go away soon. I'm thinking about buying some thermal sweaters and wearing them all day...you know, sweat out the sickness. I figure if I sweat about 10 liters of water in one day that should get rid of the bug...

Was watching some of my videos I took while living in Japan today. I watched my taiko group, my old students, our trip to Australia, some footage of my apartment, and the mountain I used to go hiking on that almost took my life. Ahhh....I sat mesmerized for about 1.5 hours watching what was one of the most (if not THE most) precious times in my life. I said it once, I'll say it again...I don't really miss Japan, rather I miss my life IN Japan and those who made it special. Soon all those hours of DV tapes will be converted to DVD so as to last.

It's amazing...the short 2 years over there taught me more than I ever could have imagined. I can confidently say that the Lord Jesus revealed Himself, His truths, and His love for me in a very, very deep and personal way during my time there. Easy, it was not. I literally felt like I was disappearing off the face of the earth at times (more than naught), only to be captured again by the truth of His everlasting covenant of love towards me and my family. This was the sustaining breath of life that brought me out on top after my 2 year stint was over.
Many people here in Singapore ask how I survived the first 9 months of Japan without a church and the next year and a half with a group of only 5 people, once a week, an hour away. You gotta ask Jesus that one. I wish I could put it into words and, perhaps, Lord willing, one day I will. But for now I know I wouldn't change that experience for the life of me....now I know: should the world crumble, should friends cast stones, should family mock or scorn, should my brothers and sisters walk away...it moves me not. No, nothing does nor shall anything. My God is well able to keep the work that He began in my life. And I commit to Him my life to the finishing of this work. Therefore I am safe regardless of any situation around me. In the words of a man of God, "Until [my] destiny be fulfilled, [I] am INVINCIBLE."

Considering the things that I've been through in my life thus far, I believe this 200%.
Ok, eyes getting rolley-polley. I need a day watch all those videos....so I can drool at the nice weather & scenery that once was and now is not....

But all is not bad. The view from my apartment now is quite nice. It's bright and lined by all the apartments, but the skyline is quite nice actually. Hopefully my roommate and I can have some people over to chill sometime....

Ok yall, peace. Look to the Word....the Bible is the only truth that we have to stand on today. If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything....
-db

p.s. I saw a woman today picking her nose in public....

...my point exactly.

...you get what you pay for...

Ya, my sis and me back in the day...kermit was my hero, I think... dude! look at the retro fro action. *sigh*....those were the days...we were stylin' in our green/pink combi outfits at the beach...

So my friend was telling me this story she found in the newspaper today:

Apparently some people who are in the software pirating business have started pirating GPS software. GPS = global positioning software = something that can give you directions to where you want to go anywhere on the earth. Usually they are seen in cars and give the driver pinpoint directions of how to get where they need to go.

Works by satellite so it's pretty accurate. Well, people are buying these pirated versions of the legitimate software and hardware that uses it. The problem is, it's not working right....

...the people are getting lost because the software is, well, not "all there."

I don't think it is the software that isn't "all there"....one must question who would rely on faulty products in the first place....

Oh well, one will never run short of prayer pointers with things like this going on....lol.

Untitled

Couldn't think of a title for this one. It's been so long and so much has happened since the solitary bus that I have to control the fingers tonight or they'll be typing all night.

One thing I've learned is that humans are creatures of habit. And it takes a while to form habits, whether they are good or bad. Of course, bad habits are easier to form than good ones. Because of our nature (that of sin) bad habits naturally find a home within our routines without much complications from our consciences. Good habits, on the other hand, usually have to be deliberately practiced until they become a part of our person.

Blogging, for example. I wish I could blog everyday because now I'm finding that writing about the day's events - whether they are simple observations or pointed stories - gives my soul a rest/peace unknown to me in a long time. I suppose with years of solitude comes an unique desire for fellowship/understanding that is unknown to those who have constant and consistent fellowship and understanding from others(be it friends or family). Writing is a great way to compensate I suppose. Of course, one must be careful of going off on countless digressions of discussions about writing itself without doing the actual writing which is probably what is happening right now so I think this will sto...

*ahem*

Funerals. Sad, real, and life changing every time I go to one. I grieve for the family that has lost. Indeed, it is for them and them alone that we gather. The Lord encourages us to rejoice when a brother or sister goes home. Still, being human we must give way to those tears and feelings of loss that inevitably come. To have someone alive with you for so long suddenly not be there anymore must be terrible.

I've not experienced that before, bless the Lord. Thing is I'm so far away from everyone I feel close too that even if something did happen to them (or me, for that matter) I dare say the impact wouldn't be as great as if we were around each other. Yes, that sounds "...cold and heartless...", but the reality is such that I haven't seen my loved ones for about a year now. More than that I've been in Asia for about 3 years. God forbid anything happen to my family while I'm here...ever see Forrest Gump? Remember what he did when he got word that his mom was sick? He jumped off the boat and started to swim to shore...from the middle of the ocean. Yes, I am in Singapore and am laboring with my fellow brothers and sisters in this land. But should something occur that beckons me home, I'm jumpin...my family means more to me than life itself.

It's tough having my heart in two (sometimes three if I include my Japanese brothers and sisters) places at once. I suppose when one goes through as many experiences as I have that to forget everyone and everything in the past would mean part of me dying. I'll never know what it means to be born, live, and experience only one community, one group of friends, common experiences with those around me, being able to relate "what it was like when..." Life is a blanket and the threads in my blanket are so many that not one stands out more than the other. Except for my Lord Jesus.

Whenever I go to funerals I can't help but picture me in the casket. "Er, you gotta death wish son?" you may be thinking. Haha...no. Our pastor has said something I've thought about all my life: what would I like to be engraved on my tombstone? What will people say about me when I die? Who will even know me....? (That last one is quite sobering because when one has moved around the world, schools, jobs, and situations as much as I have one doesn't really have a foundation of "people that know you". Indeed, if something were to happen to me over here it would take forever for those who know me to find out. Everyone that I've known has no connection to each other other than my presence in their lives. Perhaps I should start making a list of who to call for my family back home....like a phone tree. haha.)
What this does is push me to do more in my life now. It motivates, provokes, convicts, and boosts my desire to do 500% more with everyone and everything in my life now than before. Even on the last night of the most recent funeral, I rushed to 7-11, bought a phone card, and called my mom to ask about everyone in my family. Not everything is peaches and roses, but I was at ease just to know things were stable thus far. Again, there was that tug of my body and mind being here, but my heart with me mums, me sis, and me pops back home. Praise God they are ok.

The fact is one day we're all going to be pusing up daisies. So what we do now counts...it has to count. Our pastor has a theme for us: "make my life count" It is a prayer of sorts...Lord, make my life count. I think that any person who is actively following Christ can be assured that their life is indeed counting. Of course, we can always be doing more than what we currently are. But never let yourself feel that what you are currently doing isn't worth anything.

The bible declares that what you do for Christ will echo in eternity. Have you thought about how to apply what you studied in your bible in your life today? You do well and God will open doors for you to apply it. This, in turn, will echo in eternity as worship to the Lord. However little, however big (2 terms, by the way, which are relevant. What is little to us may be big to God and vice versa.) Do NOT let the enemy, your flesh, or others walk over the sacrifice, the duty, the commitment, and/or the choices you make in serving YOUR God. Why do I say this?...

One day, after your funeral, there will be only two standing face to face when deciding your eternal fate, be it reward or be it condemnation: You and Jesus. So now tell me, who shall you live for? To whose standards shall you be measured against? It is the Lord Jesus Christ. And because He loves you more than life, having died for you, your life does count. Your heavenly Father loves you....and you count because HE says so....cool, eh?

Alas, I shall end this here because I could go on and on forever with topics galore. Hmmm...maybe one day I'll do that. I've got boxes full of notebooks full of studies full of things like this full of scriptures full of....well, yea. I should have them shipped over.

peace---

The Death of Common Sense

Just a little something to make ya say "hmmm...."

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend by the name of Common Sense who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valued lessons as knowing when to come in out of the rain, why the early bird gets the worm and that life isn't always fair.

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you earn) and reliable parenting strategies (adults, not kids, are in charge). His health began to rapidly deteriorate when well intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a six-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate, teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch, and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student only worsened his condition. It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer aspirin to a student but could not inform the parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.

Finally, Common sense lost the will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband, churches became businesses and criminals received better treatment than their victims. Common Sense finally gave up the ghost after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot, spilled it in her lap, and was awarded a huge settlement.
Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust, his wife, Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility; and his son, Reason. He is survived by two stepbrothers; My Rights and Ima Whiner.

Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone.

Author Unknown

The Empty Bus

Ahhh...rice. My grandmother's staple food on Sunday afternoon dinner's after church...as well as Asia's everyday. Took this shot while in Sri Lanka.



Haven't blogged in a long time. (dude...why does that sound particularly gross?...) So this one might be a wee bit long. Indulge me people...

So I'm at Suntec City today walking around after work. Went to go try and cancel a mobile plan that is under someone else's name. Dude...the mobile phones today are so cool. Email, web, mp3, mp4, storage, camera, video. Star Trek has nothing on this stuff. I'm thinking of buying one soon because I must get a new phone plan anyway. But no way am I signing my life away for 2 years. Fuget that mess.... the Lord has blessed me with an old handphone that someone gave me way back when so I have the freedom to wait until extra mula (that's "money" for the unlearn-ed).

Got on the City bus that just travels around the main city area of downtown Singapore. It was one of those double deckers with crazy amounts of space, air conditioning, and smoothness on the road. Well, I get on....and to my amazement I'm the only one on the bus. The first thought that came to my mind was "freedom". I dunno why...well, actually I do. My hometown in America was all about the open air, wide expanses of space in the mountains, trees, etc. You'd be hard pressed to have 20 or more cars pass by our neighborhood in one day. Masses of people are unheard of. 7 or 8 o'clock in the morning only heard the songs of the birds in the trees. blah blah blah...nostalgia to say the least.

So when I got on that empty bus (both lower and upper decks were void of homo sapiens) and we were driving around downtown...wow, I don't know how to describe it. I cherished every single second of that ride. I was praying and thanking God the whole time because the Lord was speaking to me telling me --> this is just like when I carry you through the midst of your storms in life. I'm your double decker and as long as you trust in me, let me do the driving, and stay onboard I'll get you to the destination I've planned for you. Yup...that's muh Jesus. AMEN!

As if things couldn't get better, the bus stopped at some park and the driver got out! At first I was like, "uhhh...what in the world?" But he told me it was change the busdriver time. So I was left alone on this huge bus (A/C was kicking too) for about 5 minutes. *sigh* kinda hard to express while blogging (*ahem*..there's that word again), but if I could manifest what peace was pulsing through my spirit at that time today....ahhh. I love Jesus so much because only He knows what makes each of us individually tick. And when He grants us situations that He knows will give us a little bit of peace, joy, happiness, etc. He does it so wonderfully. That's why those of you reading this are like, "Uhh..ok. Er, ya, sure...I'd love to be riding on a double decker bus alone. Yup, that'll make me feel great (while rolling eyes)" and I'm like, "Dad (Jesus), you are so awesome...thanks a bunch."

You know, that's why anyone who thinks they'll find their greatest contentment in a relationship (women or man) such as boyfriend/girlfriend/marriage, etc is in for a world of hurt. No man, no woman, no dating, no person can EVER match the contentment and fulfillment that the Lord can. That's why I believe people who are single need to first be comfortable with their position and place in life, in their devotion as a disciple of Christ, and need to have the right perspective about life before they even cast an eye to involving another person in their thought life. Only Jesus can touch that deep area of our lives that will bring lasting peace, joy, fulfillment, etc. Another person cannot. Material things cannot. Money cannot. Church cannot. Only God can. And when we seek His face (meaning His person, His character, His throne, His majestey, His kingdom, etc), then we will already have His hand (his blessings, His direction, His gifts that will fulfill the present voids in our lives, etc).

..how in the world did I get onto that?...haha. Ok, onto some lighter stuff....

http://www.flashplayer.com/animation/glassofwater.html

Ever known someone to blow something so small out of proportion? Yup..that's the moral of this story...haha. Got this link from a friend the other day. Ahhh...it's been a while since I've seen silly stuff like this. Scott! Tim!! Steve!! John!!! Where are you dudes?? My buds and I in high school were all into stuff like this. We made this kung-fu series once. Jumping into a pool of water and playing it backwards makes a cool effect of one jumping "out" of the water to fight all the bad ninja dudes.

Ok, time to say adieu to my computer...and now, the quote of the moment:

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." - Martin Luther King, Jr.

How true...yet how unrecognized and un-practiced. Signing off people....peace.

Adages of the Moment

Yes, I love quotes. Maxims. Adages. Proverbs. Call them what you may, I luv 'em. And I don't know why. I suppose it's because as a child and teenager growing up my constant daily prayer was for wisdom. I can't remember a day where I missed praying for wisdom. You know how they say be careful what you pray for? heheh...*ahem*. They're right.

Adages are wonderful because they sum up a vast amount of experiences into short statements that have much power. If I had it my way I'd walk around only speaking adages, proverbs, or maxims. Of course, that'd be really weird. Can you imagine?...

Cashier: "Hi sir, welcome to McDonald's. Can I take your order?"
Me: "All things are lawful to me, but I will not be mastered by anything."
Cashier: "Uh, yes sir. Umm..so did you want the combo meal 1 or..."
Me: "Nature gives you the face you have when you are twenty. Life shapes the face you have at thirty, but it is
up to you to earn the face you have at fifty."
Cashier: "Right. Er...so, um. Would you like fries or something?"
Me: "If you really do put a small value upon yourself, rest assured that the world will not raise your price."
Cashier: "No, prices only go up if you super-size it sir. Are you ok, sir?"
Me: "Don't cry because it's over; smile because it happened."
Cashier: "Thank you. Next..."

*sigh* I suppose those who enjoy such statements must dwell upon them in the sanctity of their own mind, yet by all means and might live them out in life.

Here are some that pop into mind at the moment:

This is true in everyday life as it is in battle: we are given one life and the decision is ours whether to wait for circumstances to make up our minds, or whether to act, and in acting, to live. -General Omar Bradley

All persons are puzzles until at last we find in some word or act the key to the man, to the woman; straightway all their past words and actions lie in light before us.
- Emerson, Journals (1842)

Tentative efforts lead to tentative outcomes. Therefore give yourself fully to your endeavors. Decide to construct your character through excellent actions and determine to pay the price of a worthy goal. The trials you encounter will introduce you to your strengths. Remain steadfast.......and one day you will build something that endures: something worthy of your potential.
Epictetus, Roman Teacher, Philosopher 55-135 AD.

Ahhh....that last one is my favorite. Well, until next time.

Peace~

The Cost...

The following is quoted from Living Logos, Life of Christ 2:

"When we compare the cost of discipleship with what we receive by faithfully following Jesus, then the price seems small:

'...if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us' (Romans 8:17-18)

'For our light affliction, which is but for amomen, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.' (II Corinthians 4:17)

Jesus Christ is coming back soon for His true followers, to take them to the place He has prepared (John 14:1-3). We shall all be changed, and we will have a glorified body, like His (Philippians 3:21). We shall live evermore in the presence of our Redeemer (I Thessalonians 4:16,17)"

In light of all this, this world becomes smaller and smaller everyday to me. Paul also said that if we have hope in Christ ONLY for this life, we are of all men most miserable. That lets me know that most of my focus in living life should be on heaven and my eternal destiny. Career, marriage, friends, settling down, financial goals, etc.....bleh. These will indeed come, but only when our focus is prioritized on the One who gave up EVERYTHING to give us EVERYTHING. I'm not saying these issues are of no value or concern...indeed, I pray about them. But to worry, concern myself, dote upon them would be to misplace my time, energies, and efforts. When the time is right for the things of this world then these things will flow from God's eternal purpose.

Better to focus on the things of the world to come...that is eternal.

~peace~

thought for the day: "We do not learn to know men through their coming to us. To find out what sort of persons they are, we must go to them." –Goethe

It's Gone...

I ate the apple...

The Apple on my bookshelf

So why is "apple" capitalized in the title of this blog? Because there is a particular apple that has been sitting on my bookshelf for the past 2 days. It's unique, it's important. There's no other apple like it. Thus, it gets the proper noun treatment.

Why, you might ask. Well, cause I keep forgetting to bring it with me to school. I washed it, polished it up...and always walk out the door without it. I come home and BAM...there it is. Moral of the story: we are creatures of habit. I used to eat apples during my breakfast (or bananas, strawberries, etc....this was during my "healthy" phase in Japan), but now I'm trying to eat more fruit outside of the house. At the rate I'm going this apple will become a permanent fixture on my bookshelf....

I'm so excited about the MCUBE, but also taking note of the fact that we are growing rapidly with many requests, demands, and things needing to be done. We just need to hang in there. God knows EXACTLY what He wants to accomplish through this ministry. Thus, I trust totally in Him to bring to pass whatever He has planned for us to do. Equipment, people, time....it will all be provided for us. My prayer is that everyone who is involved currently will continue to stick it out with us. Amen!

Can you say chocolate overdose? I thought I'd grab a quick snack today after lunch, so I bought Pokky Chocolate Sticks (ahhh...memories of Japan). But then what do my co-workers bring to our meeting today? Big, fat chocolate covered nuts, chocolate crisps, and fatty apple fritters. Yours truly just "had" to have a bite of each...and now my body is paying the price. Albeit unknowingly, that junk food is doing some pretty bad stuff to me. There was this movie I remember seeing called "Inner Space" with Dennis Quaid a long time ago. He was shrunk to the size of a blood vessel and placed in the body of people in order to help them. It was pretty cool...saw it like 5 times. I wish I could do that...get in a ship and travel through the body just to see this miracle called the human body that is made in the image of God. Hmmm...where would I go?....wait, how would I get inside? I forgot how he got inside...by injection I think. Why don't they make movies like that anymore. Hmmm....mankind is too foolish, fleshly, vain, and empty now. Wow....what were some of my coolest movies back then? (not so much favorite, but ones I thought were cool):

Tron
Inner Space
Weird Science
My Science Project (?)
The Breakfast Club
Aliens
The Last Emperor
Red Dawn (one of my FAVORITES)
Conan the Barbarian
Real Genius
The Goonies
The Dark Crystal
The Last Dragon (haha...my sis's favorite...must have watched it together like 20 times)
They
Platoon
Nausica

Ok, maybe I'll finish this list another time. It's 12:30am and my eyes have rolled into the back of my head, fallen out, jumped back in, and are now hopelessly lost in the ocean of pixels on my laptop screen.

Good night....

Back in the saddle again...soon.

An old picture of a Japanese student and myself when I first went to Japan as an English teacher. I really like this shot..taken with one of those throw away cameras, it still has a nice feel to it.


Well, a day and a half left of my summer vacation. Another summer gone...*poof*...like that. There was so much I wanted to do in the month of August, and yet there was so much that I did. Strange, but ironically true.

Work on my songs: nada.
Make bread: nope
Start running: hahahaaaa
Edit movies to send home for my family: They're like, "We're waiting..."
Print and mail off Unit 2 of my NYIP course: ..where's my camera?....my professor is like steaming...
Get back into piano practicing: somewhat, but a joke at best


I guess I'm still trying to adjust to Singapore. Being at the mercy of public transportation is like a living nightmare...I mean big time. It's hard to relate this to everyone here because, well, everyone here has been at the mercy of public transportation their entire lives. I grew up where you'd hardly see 10 cars pass your house on any given day...20 at most. Anyhoo...what does this have to do with the above?

Time.

Things in life take time. Whereas if one had their own mode of transportation (and roads that were straight with no one else on them...a.k.a. my hometown), one could pretty much control their time spent on various activities. Plus, just having that general sense of freedom is unbeatable. I dunno how to describe it, but coming home on bus or MRT (and then having to walk) is like knocking the wind outta my umph to do anything by the time I reach the door after battling through crowds, cars, etc. haha...ya, I'm still getting used to things. All in all, however, it's alright. I'm the type that could adapt to anywhere, place, or time. This doesn't mean I have to like everywhere, place, or time I happen to find myself in, not at all. If that were the case then where would my personality/character/likes/dislikes kick in? They wouldn't. Hey, I like to have plain rice...just because that's a gross abnormality to the local population doesn't mean I have to be like, "..oh yea, it is! How stupid of me...haha. *blush*...sorry." Nope, cause I've liked plain rice since I was a kid eating my grandmum's Sunday cooked rice (every Sunday mind you). She got me hooked! So, when I went to Japan and found that eating plain rice was a norm...BAM!

So, do I feel bad about this? Nope, not in the least bit. Can I go around ordering plain rice here? If my goal is to cause brain hemorraging in the food court workers, then yes. But to keep the peace, not a good idea. Soo...I just tromp home and have me a good 'ol bowl of white stuff. Of course, this is just an example...the rice, I mean. There are countless others like this. It's all about adapting and learning to live at peace with the world around you as much as you can. Japan taught me this more than anything else. Haha...one does NOT eat and walk on the street at the same time. Why? Beats me...but to keep the "heiwa" (heiwa = peace in Japanese). Ya, you get the drift....

That's the beauty of living in different countries, having different friends, learning different things. One learns that things (such as eating habits, daily customs, ways of doing things, etc) aren't necessarily right or wrong...just different. Unfortunately, when you are the one always changing places, friendships, cultures, etc. you become the minority. And, as human nature and history teaches us, the minority always has the uphill road to climb when trying to live out their lives around the majority. In fact, it is particularly difficult for one to be truly themselves when they are the "only one." I like to think of myself as a little bit of dis and a little bit of dat because of the varied experiences I've had with people and cultures from all over the world.

What in the world...? I totally went off subject. Haha....so, ya, a day and a half left of vacation. What have I been doing? MCUBE STUFF!! Yes! The energy, synergy, and growth of the ministry is scary at times...scary to the devil. We are doing much more than before and launching out into uncharted territory. My prayer, hope, and confidence is that everyone in the MCUBE ministry will rise up to the challenges that are ahead. The biggest factor, again, is time. No matter, God is in complete control. HE knows what He wants to accomplish through this ministry and thus He WILL provide that which is necessary to get the job done. I only am humbled to be able to be a part of that awesome group of about 27 people. We are going to do some pretty awesome things soon....IN JESUS NAME.

Ok, gotta go now. Off to prayer tonight, meetings, etc. Then...*sniff*...one more day.

Aunties at work

So I'm sitting at Funan's food court having a nice dinner. Sippin' the soup, eating the rice, chilling out. Near the end of my meal I notice the cleaning auntie's passing me one too many times. Well, being in Singapore this long has taught me that they are simply waiting for me to finish so they can engulf my plate and utensils in a fury of cleaning action.

But something strange happened...

It was almost as if these two ladies were coordinated. One had her back turned towards me, then the other emerged from her side and walked toward me head-on. Sure, my plate was finished, but I was still sipping the soup. But she kept coming. I held the spoon in my mouth and looked at her....foiled! She bore to my left and went somewhere else, but then the first auntie had already turned around and was staring at me....with a "that-plate-is-MINE-when-you-finish-kid" kinda look on her face. I resumed my soup sippin...

Now this is strange. I was actually done eating (drinking?) my soup, but just because I knew they were hawking over me (hey, is that why these places are called "Hawkers"?), waiting to claim their prey I continued to slowly eat my soup. Actually, I just wanted to see what their next move was.

For the next few moments I didn't see either of them. No matter, I was actually thinking about how I could make this soup at home. Kinda tasted like my mom's cabbage soup...*sigh*, memories. But then!....

I finished the soup! Getting up from the table, I turned quickly to the right to grab my backpack and BAM!...the tray, plate, soup, and utensils were gone. Homegirl had been waiting BEHIND me the whole time like a vulture scoping out it's helpless prey. She knew there was no more life in my dinner, and she smelled it too. hehehe...yes, she was good. Very good. Almost, too good.

Well, I gotta hand it to 'em. I've never eaten dinner in a more strategic manner as I have today. This is the kinda stuff that makes life interesting...I love it.

Oh, I did go to Fort Canning park today. You know, whenever I get away from anything "city" like (cars, buses, mass-groups of people reminding me of sheep, etc) and go to a foresty, mountain-wanna-be, green place my head feels so much better, I am at peace, and I feel at home. I need to go to MacRitche again and spend a whole day there....nostalgia.

~peace~

Thought for the day: Widsom is the principle thing. Therefore, with all thy getting, get wisdom.

Praying for the sick

Tonight's prayer was great...as always. Of course, it matters a wee bit how the "group" around you is praying/doing in the spirit. But I'm one who, because of unique experiences, have approached prayer in groups the same as I do when I'm alone....

...Jesus is Lord regardless of how many, how loud, or how emotional one gets. So I felt tonight's prayer was effective because that's the attitude I had before I even entered into prayer. In fact, even during prayer I believe a person's attitude can change any number of times. The struggle comes in keeping one's heart and focus on the Lord and prayer at hand. In doing this the cries, the shouts, the tears, the volume becomes genuine instead of just a "motion."

I'm not saying that crying, shouting, tearing, and increasing one's volume is of no effect if one's spirit isn't right. Indeed, if we do not base our prayers on feelings but rather on faith then these actions should be done even if one doesn't "feel" like doing it. But once started on the path of seeking God one should heartily pursuit the "more than"...the prayer that comes from deep within. That's how I prayed tonight...eventually. !

Ok, another interesting point: our pastor travels a lot. Dude...like I saw him tonight, then he left, now he's on a bus up north....won't be back until Friday.

That's what I'm talking about.... 

I love easter....

This is a picture a long lost friend sent to me. We were cooky in our graduate school together...but boy did we have a love for kids. Disillusioned by the state of affairs in public schools then, we both got out of teaching for a couple of years only to end up back in it. She's a dance instructor and I'm an English teacher.

Hey, heads up for anyone out there who wants to be a teacher: think carefully. There's lots of jobs in the world and yes the teaching profession is pretty stable. But once you're in it, it's like crazy hard to get out. Usually people retire from another profession to come into teaching. Ya, a really bonus to the teacher recruitment efforts....

Anyhoo, don't know what that was all about. Just love this pic. I am amused by the simple things in life. And this pic is just too funny. haha....

The Cincinnati Post - Thousands show up for computer sale

The Cincinnati Post - Thousands show up for computer sale

What a shame....greed. I cannot even picture in my limited mind how a people would trample someone just for a computer...a used one at that!

"Hold things loosely." Yup, that's me. Considering the experiences I've been through I've learned the hard way not to hold on to things, people, feelings...bascially anything for a long time. This world is temporal...the people of God are eternal. Ok, let's see.....

Q: What's more important? a) pleasures, items, things...that of this world.
b) preparation for eternity.

A: well duh.....

Alas, the iMac is a nice computer, I guess. Never owned one. But I figure they must be to wake up that early, step on someone's cranium, and get a product that somebody else already used.

*sigh*....I feel for mankind.

~peace~

~peace~ 

Dude....my eyes are killing me. Singapore is BRIGHT. For the past 4 months I've been having wicked pressure around my eyes and I think I've finally figured out why: the sun.

Not that I make it a habit of directly looking into the sun, but I think because of the angle the sunlight hits Singapore is so much more direct than me home town back in America. I mean, I find myself squinting all the time ~ furrowed eyebrows and all. At my school I'm on the top floor and in between classes I go outside to the balcony just to chill and look at the clouds. "SHAZAAM!!" the light says to my eyeball sockets. I used to love looking and gazing at the clouds. Now it's like cruel and unusual punishment. But there is hope....

...sunglasses.
(Sunglasses reflecting the sun)---->

Next week I'll be at the National Library listening to Michael Yamashita of National Geographic fame. YES! I need some inspiriation for my photography. If I had it my way, I'd be behind a camera most of my day capturing memories & moments. Of course, here in Singapore one must be careful - I've had many rude awakenings when attempting to photo beautiful buildings and what not. Fine with me...shame on them. Yes, build beautiful buildings, scenery, etc, but then deny people the pleasure of taking photos of them. Now that makes perfect sense.

Well, duh...of course it's because of terror and fear of it. 9/11 has "killed" more things in the world than those 3000+ on that day. Maybe I'll get a camera phone or something and do a James Bond photo shoot one day...

Ok, time to start the day. It started without me...arg.

Thought for the day: "Become the change you desire to see in the world."

I don't know why, but I love this photo. I took it while on a trip with my English students in Ashikita, Japan. The dude is taking a picture of the ladies with the beautiful skyline in the backgroud.

It grants me a sense of...I dunno....simplicity. haha...yes, you looking at this photo are like, "..uh, yea. I feel the same way..*ahem*, cough" As with anything, I guess ya had to be there.

Me birthday today. This will mark 30 years I've walked this earth. Many, when they find this out, wag their heads, suck their teeth, or laugh and say "Wow...how do you feel about that?"

Um...did I miss something? Does God make mistakes? Those who are insecure about their own lives (IMHO) find it very comforting to make statements or comments such as these. Me? Hey, I'm a Toys 'R Us kid... I'm proud of what, who, when, and where my Lord Jesus made me. Besides, I'm living for Him, not people....


Ok, that's all for my first post. BAM! Now if they can just invent a pill to eradicate the need for sleep I'd do this more often....

~peace~