There was a boy, as little as could be.
He had a dream, bigger than his soup of pea.
Many told him, it just could not be.
He was like a flea in the middle of the sea.
Tried he did, one time two and three.
As graceful as a rock thrown from the tree.
Yet he goes on in glee.
That one day, perched on tree, more than a
flea, an eagle he will be.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Reflections
1) Flawless
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GrOMLylvhQ&feature=related
Once in a while, we need a feel-good story to inspire us. This inspired me. Check out their expressions. They are a bunch of very proud guys, but in a good way. They take alot of pride in their dream.
Simon: What's the ambition here?
X: Chase the dream, not the competition.
Chio la.
2) Interview
I went for CS interview on Wednesday. It was a good experience. Had an 1-hr interview with 2 VPs followed by a group discussion with 3 other candidates while being observed by a panel. The interview was okay, i was relatively well-prepared. The strategy was to bank on my OCS, Investment Club and active volunteerism experiences and some Christian principles. I was able to competently/confidently answer their queries. I thought they may ask me finance questions like define CAPM and beta etc, which would expose me, haha. So thankfully they didnt.
The group discussion was to work together for a given topic, and we are evaluated based on our train of thoughts, ability to lead, work and all those stuff la. One lady from XXX university was alot domineering and (to-me) a bit fake, another SMUer and YYY made up the numbers. I didnt really stand out for this part i think. The topic is generic and i was just normal. Just tried to be myself, trying to facilitate and make others feel comfortable.
Overall, I enjoyed myself and thought i gave my best shot and a good account of myself. I don't know how much the VPs believe me when i said i only applied for CS and it's kind of like my ambition to work for them (they prob think I'm hard up? hahaha). After the interview and chill-out session with my new-found friends, I remembered 1 Cor 1:18, but probably abit abstract to apply in this way but let me try.
We started sharing our internship attempts/experiences and I realized they have either 1) did an internship before 2) has another active offer 3) applied quite a few. So they were talking about the potential pay, comparing with XYZ offer and also commenting on why such a late interview from CS (the reason is that probably other "first choice" candidates declined due to better offers).
Okay i got to write this properly. I dont think they are wrong to have 1), 2), 3) as well as the last comment. The latter is probably true on hindsight. But i just contrasted my situation and to me, it's purely the grace and power of God that landed me here. Haha. Im almost abit embarassed to tell them this is my virgin application and interview, that even though factually i may be the 2nd/3rd/4th choice or batch, God engineered it. So that made me grateful.
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God - 1 Cor 1:18
3) Post-interview
Since i gave my best shot, i knew i dont have to be disappointed whatever the result. And that was my honest stance. It was thus a surprise I was a little affected when YYY messaged me to share her joy when CS got back to her. She's the first one they call! I was happy for her, but I was also disappointed they havent got back to me.
So silly right! They haven even rejected me and Im affected. That led me to conclude that Im "hoarding" this dream for myself.
I tell you the truth, unless the kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. - John 12:24
I have no doubt some of my desires are God-given. But sometimes (or all times?) God have to kill our dreams/desires so that he can truly bless us.
God, let it die then.
4) MX's birthday
Cell celebrated MX's birthday at NUS. I was the emcee. I also tried to do a dance presentation inspired by Stavros Flatly, but apparently, my tap dance routine wasn't that well-appreciated. Hee. I guess we all enjoy cell group. Great.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GrOMLylvhQ&feature=related
Once in a while, we need a feel-good story to inspire us. This inspired me. Check out their expressions. They are a bunch of very proud guys, but in a good way. They take alot of pride in their dream.
Simon: What's the ambition here?
X: Chase the dream, not the competition.
Chio la.
2) Interview
I went for CS interview on Wednesday. It was a good experience. Had an 1-hr interview with 2 VPs followed by a group discussion with 3 other candidates while being observed by a panel. The interview was okay, i was relatively well-prepared. The strategy was to bank on my OCS, Investment Club and active volunteerism experiences and some Christian principles. I was able to competently/confidently answer their queries. I thought they may ask me finance questions like define CAPM and beta etc, which would expose me, haha. So thankfully they didnt.
The group discussion was to work together for a given topic, and we are evaluated based on our train of thoughts, ability to lead, work and all those stuff la. One lady from XXX university was alot domineering and (to-me) a bit fake, another SMUer and YYY made up the numbers. I didnt really stand out for this part i think. The topic is generic and i was just normal. Just tried to be myself, trying to facilitate and make others feel comfortable.
Overall, I enjoyed myself and thought i gave my best shot and a good account of myself. I don't know how much the VPs believe me when i said i only applied for CS and it's kind of like my ambition to work for them (they prob think I'm hard up? hahaha). After the interview and chill-out session with my new-found friends, I remembered 1 Cor 1:18, but probably abit abstract to apply in this way but let me try.
We started sharing our internship attempts/experiences and I realized they have either 1) did an internship before 2) has another active offer 3) applied quite a few. So they were talking about the potential pay, comparing with XYZ offer and also commenting on why such a late interview from CS (the reason is that probably other "first choice" candidates declined due to better offers).
Okay i got to write this properly. I dont think they are wrong to have 1), 2), 3) as well as the last comment. The latter is probably true on hindsight. But i just contrasted my situation and to me, it's purely the grace and power of God that landed me here. Haha. Im almost abit embarassed to tell them this is my virgin application and interview, that even though factually i may be the 2nd/3rd/4th choice or batch, God engineered it. So that made me grateful.
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God - 1 Cor 1:18
3) Post-interview
Since i gave my best shot, i knew i dont have to be disappointed whatever the result. And that was my honest stance. It was thus a surprise I was a little affected when YYY messaged me to share her joy when CS got back to her. She's the first one they call! I was happy for her, but I was also disappointed they havent got back to me.
So silly right! They haven even rejected me and Im affected. That led me to conclude that Im "hoarding" this dream for myself.
I tell you the truth, unless the kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. - John 12:24
I have no doubt some of my desires are God-given. But sometimes (or all times?) God have to kill our dreams/desires so that he can truly bless us.
God, let it die then.
4) MX's birthday
Cell celebrated MX's birthday at NUS. I was the emcee. I also tried to do a dance presentation inspired by Stavros Flatly, but apparently, my tap dance routine wasn't that well-appreciated. Hee. I guess we all enjoy cell group. Great.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
The man
Saw this ST commentary on Kenny Perry, the golfer who so nearly won the Masters last week when he led all the way to the 17th hole before the pressure got to him and allowed Angel Cabrera to force a playoff. He subsequently lost.
"He agreed that, at 48, he is never likely to get this close to the big one again. He choked, and he admitted it. 'Great players make it happen,' he said to the camera. 'And your average players don't. That's the way it is. I just didnt get the job done, again.' " - The Straits Time, Apr 18, 2009
"Im not getting there," he said. "If this is the worse thing that happens in my life, then my life's pretty good. It really is. I have got my Mum struggling with cancer, my dad's struggle with his heart. I have got alot of people hurting right now, and here i am playing golf for a living and having the time of my life. So Im not thinking poor me...Pity me? Hey i fought hard and I was proud of the way I hung in there. I never said I was a superstar."
When you come home feeling lousy about how your exam went and you read about someone like him, do you still dare to wallow in self-pity? You are right Perry, my life's pretty good if this is ever the worse that can happen to me. I have people whom i matter to, friends who care, a good future ahead, and many other things going for me.
The alphabets on your transcript doesn't indicate your self-worth, the lifes you have impacted and how many people whom you matter to.
Thanks friends, those who kept me in prayer. Thanks Q, for meeting me on the bus, disrupting my quiet time and praying for me.
Thanks, Perry, for your wisdom.
You lost, but my guess is, you won yourself alot of respect.
"He agreed that, at 48, he is never likely to get this close to the big one again. He choked, and he admitted it. 'Great players make it happen,' he said to the camera. 'And your average players don't. That's the way it is. I just didnt get the job done, again.' " - The Straits Time, Apr 18, 2009
"Im not getting there," he said. "If this is the worse thing that happens in my life, then my life's pretty good. It really is. I have got my Mum struggling with cancer, my dad's struggle with his heart. I have got alot of people hurting right now, and here i am playing golf for a living and having the time of my life. So Im not thinking poor me...Pity me? Hey i fought hard and I was proud of the way I hung in there. I never said I was a superstar."
When you come home feeling lousy about how your exam went and you read about someone like him, do you still dare to wallow in self-pity? You are right Perry, my life's pretty good if this is ever the worse that can happen to me. I have people whom i matter to, friends who care, a good future ahead, and many other things going for me.
The alphabets on your transcript doesn't indicate your self-worth, the lifes you have impacted and how many people whom you matter to.
Thanks friends, those who kept me in prayer. Thanks Q, for meeting me on the bus, disrupting my quiet time and praying for me.
Thanks, Perry, for your wisdom.
You lost, but my guess is, you won yourself alot of respect.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Taking stock
I realized i didnt explicitly thank God for something very important, and when i really got down to reflect, it really caused me to be eternally grateful to Him and his goodness.
Wait a minute, if you are wondering why i have so much time to reflect during exam week, it's because Im too stressed now to study anything. So instead of dwelling in my negativity, Im just thinking of what has God done for me. This entry is for one of many.
Apart from Mum (who has transferred to a nearer church), the other person which stayed and became rooted in church is sister Z. She was my LTB classmate during year 1, and i guess like other foreign students she also struggled with the language and the superficial nature of SMU life. To cut the story short, she felt the love of God and gave her life to Jesus last year.
As i take stock, i realize she was one of the big encouragements God has given me. Just seeing how far she has come since those awkward LTB presentation days (for her, not me) really touched me. She has joy and a purpose, a nicer hair cut, haha, and just being an endearing sister to the cell group. She's open to share with people her struggles and that encourage me alot everytime we study together. (it doesnt harm that she always help me in my studies!)
Yes, Wai Chit struggles alot in his studies.
Anyway, i was extremely touched and proud of her during her baptism a couple of weeks back. She was courageous in sharing her testimoney before her best friends. Up la Z! It was a poignant moment when she came out from the water, signifying her "death" and a new life in Christ. I wanted to cry (inside) at that instant, really. A life changed. And I played a small part.
Being the shy person I am (i can hear the groans MX and P..), i struggled to congratulate her and take a picture together until Ariel reminded me. Haha.
To:
God - you are really good to me, to bring her to you and witness her growth. And now, to see her encourage others. Thanks Lord. really.
Z - hopefully you wont read this entry, haha i think i will be abit embarassed. But yeah, Im so proud of you. I am blessed to see you from day 1 and now, a sister growing in the Lord. Even though your first impression of me was a crafty person, it's okay. Hahaha
Cheers
Wait a minute, if you are wondering why i have so much time to reflect during exam week, it's because Im too stressed now to study anything. So instead of dwelling in my negativity, Im just thinking of what has God done for me. This entry is for one of many.
Apart from Mum (who has transferred to a nearer church), the other person which stayed and became rooted in church is sister Z. She was my LTB classmate during year 1, and i guess like other foreign students she also struggled with the language and the superficial nature of SMU life. To cut the story short, she felt the love of God and gave her life to Jesus last year.
As i take stock, i realize she was one of the big encouragements God has given me. Just seeing how far she has come since those awkward LTB presentation days (for her, not me) really touched me. She has joy and a purpose, a nicer hair cut, haha, and just being an endearing sister to the cell group. She's open to share with people her struggles and that encourage me alot everytime we study together. (it doesnt harm that she always help me in my studies!)
Yes, Wai Chit struggles alot in his studies.
Anyway, i was extremely touched and proud of her during her baptism a couple of weeks back. She was courageous in sharing her testimoney before her best friends. Up la Z! It was a poignant moment when she came out from the water, signifying her "death" and a new life in Christ. I wanted to cry (inside) at that instant, really. A life changed. And I played a small part.
Being the shy person I am (i can hear the groans MX and P..), i struggled to congratulate her and take a picture together until Ariel reminded me. Haha.
To:
God - you are really good to me, to bring her to you and witness her growth. And now, to see her encourage others. Thanks Lord. really.
Z - hopefully you wont read this entry, haha i think i will be abit embarassed. But yeah, Im so proud of you. I am blessed to see you from day 1 and now, a sister growing in the Lord. Even though your first impression of me was a crafty person, it's okay. Hahaha
Cheers
Friday, April 10, 2009
Naughty, heart
The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? "I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve." Jeremiah 17:9-10
My Quest study bible has this to say:
Q: Does God reward right conduct or right motive? (17:10)
A: Because God seeks right conduct that stems from proper motives, good intentions cannot excuse wrong conduct. On the other hand, righteous living that camouflages ungodly motives is hypocrisy. God judges both errors. Love for God and a desire to honor him are the proper motives for deeds that will be rewarded.
You are right, K. I thought i was one-up on this verse, but God has subtly (and very graciously) proved me wrong.
That's why you are my irritatingly-lovable blockhead. W will agree on that!
My Quest study bible has this to say:
Q: Does God reward right conduct or right motive? (17:10)
A: Because God seeks right conduct that stems from proper motives, good intentions cannot excuse wrong conduct. On the other hand, righteous living that camouflages ungodly motives is hypocrisy. God judges both errors. Love for God and a desire to honor him are the proper motives for deeds that will be rewarded.
You are right, K. I thought i was one-up on this verse, but God has subtly (and very graciously) proved me wrong.
That's why you are my irritatingly-lovable blockhead. W will agree on that!
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Love, freedom and responsibility
"It is easy to say we love others, but difficult to allow them the freedom inherent in love. When they do not want to do what we want them to, then we “hunt them down and kill them” in various ways. We pout, cry out angrily, send guilt messages, and attempt to control them. These actions kill freedom and will, and eventually, they will kill love. Love cannot exist without freedom, and freedom cannot exist without responsibility. We must own and take responsibility for what is ours, and that includes our disappointment in not getting everything we want from another person. The disappointment that comes from our loved ones exercising their freedom is our responsibility. We must deal with it. This is the only way to keep love alive.”
- Excerpt from Changes that Heal by Dr. Henry Cloud
This speaks to me personally and also when I thought about the situation surrounding someone in my cell group. When I don’t get what I want or someone doesn’t respond the way I hope, I make my negative feelings known and let the person “have a piece of me”.
Letting others deal with your feelings is really immature and stifles the person’s growth as well.
The book also talks about how the Fall has caused us to lose our sense of boundaries. We own what does not belong to us (other people’s responses) and refuse to own what belongs to us (our own feelings)!
Lord I got to learn.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)