Posts
Contained: To help you survive teaching
Toothpick - to help you "pick" out the good qualities in others and yourself
Crayon - to color you day bright and cheerful
Hugs and Kisses - for when you need a hug
Candle - when you're up late grading papers
Eraser - to remind you everyone makes mistakes
Rubber band - to remind you to be flexible and try to work on "win-win" situations
String - to ties things together when everything falls apart
Pencil - to "write your wrongs"
Marbles - to replace the ones you've lost (we enclosed extra, you'll need them later)
Lifesaver candy - you are a lifesaver to many of your students
Paperclip - to hold it all together
Jewel - because you are as valuable as any precious stone
and a Prayer for you to say at the start of each day
Tuesday, June 21, 2005
Monday, June 20, 2005
Words of wisdom
1. Common sense is most uncommon.
2. Parents afraid to put their foot down usually have children who step on their toes.
3. Promises are like babies: easy to make but hard to deliver.
2. Parents afraid to put their foot down usually have children who step on their toes.
3. Promises are like babies: easy to make but hard to deliver.
Engineers vs. Management
A man in a hot air balloon realized he was lost. He reduced altitude and spotted a woman below. He descended a bit more and shouted, "Excuse me, can you help me? I promised a friend I would meet him an hour ago, but I don't know where I am."
The woman below replied, "You're in a hot air balloon hovering approximately 30 feet above the ground. You're between 40 and 41 degrees north latitude and between 59 and 6 degrees west longitude."
"You must be an engineer," said the balloonist.
"I am," replied the woman, "How did you know?"
"Well," answered the balloonist, "everything you told me is, technically correct, but I've no idea what to make of your information, and the fact is I'm still lost. Frankly, you've not been much help at all. If anything, you've delayed my trip."
The woman below responded, "You must be in management."
"I am," replied the balloonist, "but how did you know?"
"Well," said the woman, "you don't know where you are or where you're going. You have risen to where you are due to a large quantity of hot air. You made a promise which you've no idea how to keep, and you expect people beneath you to solve your problems. The fact is you are in exactly the same position you were in before we met, but now, somehow, it's my fault."
The woman below replied, "You're in a hot air balloon hovering approximately 30 feet above the ground. You're between 40 and 41 degrees north latitude and between 59 and 6 degrees west longitude."
"You must be an engineer," said the balloonist.
"I am," replied the woman, "How did you know?"
"Well," answered the balloonist, "everything you told me is, technically correct, but I've no idea what to make of your information, and the fact is I'm still lost. Frankly, you've not been much help at all. If anything, you've delayed my trip."
The woman below responded, "You must be in management."
"I am," replied the balloonist, "but how did you know?"
"Well," said the woman, "you don't know where you are or where you're going. You have risen to where you are due to a large quantity of hot air. You made a promise which you've no idea how to keep, and you expect people beneath you to solve your problems. The fact is you are in exactly the same position you were in before we met, but now, somehow, it's my fault."
Great quotes
"Great ambition and conquest without contribution is without significance. How will history remember you?"
- William Hundert, in The Emperor's Club
"What you are is God's gift to you; what you make of yourself is your gift to God."
- Carly Fiorina, ex-Hewlett Packard CEO
- William Hundert, in The Emperor's Club
"What you are is God's gift to you; what you make of yourself is your gift to God."
- Carly Fiorina, ex-Hewlett Packard CEO
Saturday, June 18, 2005
Camp anecdotes
A few gems from Rev Kevin Forlong about our dear tone-deaf Duncan:
You are so skinny, your striped pyjamas have only one stripe.
You are so skinny, you have to run around in the shower to get wet.
A few words of truth:
Fear is the darkroom where negatives are developed.
Tithing is curse insurance.
You are so skinny, your striped pyjamas have only one stripe.
You are so skinny, you have to run around in the shower to get wet.
A few words of truth:
Fear is the darkroom where negatives are developed.
Tithing is curse insurance.
The Return of the King
Nah, it's just me. Just needed a title to catch ya eye.
I had a wonderfully fantastic time at Church Camp this year. To allt hose who didn't go, you really mised out on a lot.
Revisiting Awana Kijal was a masterstroke, as familiarity meant we did not need to reexplore the campsite for fun things to do. We already knew the hotspots: beach soccer, beach volleyball, table-tennis, pool, other people's rooms, bridge/dai dee table etc.
Most importantly, the camp theme of 'The Abundant Living' is such a promise of blessing and abundance in our lives and Agape. Speaker Kevin Forlong (brother of the recent co-winner of the Golden Boot) was really on top form as God anointed him to prophesy over certain church members and over our church also. I'm really excited over how God wants to use our church to reach out to all kinds of people, esp the mariginalised and young people.
On the last morning, we had an anointing service where Rev Kevin anointed our pastors with oil, then the pastors did likewise to the leaders, before the leaders anointed the members. I had the opportunity to pray for Jianliang, Jackson, Samuel and Stanley. I believe God has great things in store for our ALG and I really want the good things that happened during camp to be commonplace in Agape.
We had durians on Tuesday and Thursday; I only indulged in the bitter on Thurs. THursday night also saw Tony Leung (Stanley) and Li Nanxing (the real deal!) singing us a couple of songs! Yes! Li Nanxing is in my church! He really is a down-to-earth fellow and I know the opportunity will open up for God to use him in Agape. Maybe he can be the auntie-drawer for our Chinese service. =]
Allen challenged the Worship Team at camp to serve all possible sessions, and this is to be extended to normal Sundays. I believe putting God first should come above personal convenience, and I pray He gives us the strength to persevere. Personally, I played till my left hand and right arm was about to drop off! =] But seriously, Allen's on the right track.
I had much fun playing sports that I hadn't touched since last year's church camp. Beach volleyball and soccer was on the menu as I played without breaking much sweat and hence did not break out in much rash. Thursday afternoon was particularly memorable as we played soccer on casuarina-lined carpet grass. Shoik ah! I know my doctor said to wear dark long-sleeved shirts and a cap when out in the sun, but seriously. =]
Nighttime brought me, Jasmine, Zikai, Teckseng and Yili out to a table outside in the corridor where we played bridge and dai dee to our heart's content. I've never been so gelak of dai dee, not even when i played 100+ sets on the PC!
Speaking of Zikai and Teckseng, Rev Kevin had words of prophesy on them both and how God would use them. I know I'm in the company of God's anointed, and I'm proud to be serving with them in the trenches of God's battlefield.
I believe God has breakthrough planned for Agape, and I wanna be right there when it happens.
Be ready, for the Return of the King is nigh.
I had a wonderfully fantastic time at Church Camp this year. To allt hose who didn't go, you really mised out on a lot.
Revisiting Awana Kijal was a masterstroke, as familiarity meant we did not need to reexplore the campsite for fun things to do. We already knew the hotspots: beach soccer, beach volleyball, table-tennis, pool, other people's rooms, bridge/dai dee table etc.
Most importantly, the camp theme of 'The Abundant Living' is such a promise of blessing and abundance in our lives and Agape. Speaker Kevin Forlong (brother of the recent co-winner of the Golden Boot) was really on top form as God anointed him to prophesy over certain church members and over our church also. I'm really excited over how God wants to use our church to reach out to all kinds of people, esp the mariginalised and young people.
On the last morning, we had an anointing service where Rev Kevin anointed our pastors with oil, then the pastors did likewise to the leaders, before the leaders anointed the members. I had the opportunity to pray for Jianliang, Jackson, Samuel and Stanley. I believe God has great things in store for our ALG and I really want the good things that happened during camp to be commonplace in Agape.
We had durians on Tuesday and Thursday; I only indulged in the bitter on Thurs. THursday night also saw Tony Leung (Stanley) and Li Nanxing (the real deal!) singing us a couple of songs! Yes! Li Nanxing is in my church! He really is a down-to-earth fellow and I know the opportunity will open up for God to use him in Agape. Maybe he can be the auntie-drawer for our Chinese service. =]
Allen challenged the Worship Team at camp to serve all possible sessions, and this is to be extended to normal Sundays. I believe putting God first should come above personal convenience, and I pray He gives us the strength to persevere. Personally, I played till my left hand and right arm was about to drop off! =] But seriously, Allen's on the right track.
I had much fun playing sports that I hadn't touched since last year's church camp. Beach volleyball and soccer was on the menu as I played without breaking much sweat and hence did not break out in much rash. Thursday afternoon was particularly memorable as we played soccer on casuarina-lined carpet grass. Shoik ah! I know my doctor said to wear dark long-sleeved shirts and a cap when out in the sun, but seriously. =]
Nighttime brought me, Jasmine, Zikai, Teckseng and Yili out to a table outside in the corridor where we played bridge and dai dee to our heart's content. I've never been so gelak of dai dee, not even when i played 100+ sets on the PC!
Speaking of Zikai and Teckseng, Rev Kevin had words of prophesy on them both and how God would use them. I know I'm in the company of God's anointed, and I'm proud to be serving with them in the trenches of God's battlefield.
I believe God has breakthrough planned for Agape, and I wanna be right there when it happens.
Be ready, for the Return of the King is nigh.
Sunday, June 12, 2005
Woodchucking woodchucks
How much wood can a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?
He could chuck as much wood as a woodchuck could chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood.
He could chuck as much wood as a woodchuck could chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood.
Church Camp in Trengganu (Part Deux)
Ok I'm going on monday morning. Need anything urgently, call my parents at 63861055. No roaming and email on my side. Aaron, out.
Saturday, June 11, 2005
Elementary Mathematics
Romance Mathematics:
Smart man + Smart woman = romance
Smart man + Dumb woman = affair
Dumb man + Smart woman = marriage
Dumb man + Dumb woman = pregnancy
Office Arithmetic:
Smart Boss + Smart Employee = Profit
Smart Boss + Dumb Employee = Production
Dumb Boss + Smart Employee = Promotion
Dumb Boss + Dumb Employee = Overtime
Shopping Sums:
A man will pay $2 for a $1 item he needs.
A woman will pay $1 for a $2 item she doesn't need.
"Look honey, 2003 calendars are at 80% off!"
General Equations:
A woman worries about the future until she gets a husband.
A man never worries about the future until he gets a wife.
A successful man is one who makes more money than his wife can spend.
A successful woman is one who can find such a man.
Smart man + Smart woman = romance
Smart man + Dumb woman = affair
Dumb man + Smart woman = marriage
Dumb man + Dumb woman = pregnancy
Office Arithmetic:
Smart Boss + Smart Employee = Profit
Smart Boss + Dumb Employee = Production
Dumb Boss + Smart Employee = Promotion
Dumb Boss + Dumb Employee = Overtime
Shopping Sums:
A man will pay $2 for a $1 item he needs.
A woman will pay $1 for a $2 item she doesn't need.
"Look honey, 2003 calendars are at 80% off!"
General Equations:
A woman worries about the future until she gets a husband.
A man never worries about the future until he gets a wife.
A successful man is one who makes more money than his wife can spend.
A successful woman is one who can find such a man.
Five Levels of Intimacy with God (John 15:4-5)
1. Aloof (convenient, disobedient)
2. Acquainted (can profit)
3. Associated (performance-based)
4. Affectionate (emotional, situational)
5. Abiding (pruning, trusting, dependent, fruitful)
2. Acquainted (can profit)
3. Associated (performance-based)
4. Affectionate (emotional, situational)
5. Abiding (pruning, trusting, dependent, fruitful)
Friday, June 10, 2005
EuroEnglish!
Important Announcement:
The European Union commissioners have announced that agreement has been reached to adopt English as the preferred language for European communications, rather than German, which was the other possibility. As part of the negotiations, Her Majesty's Government conceded that English spelling had some room for improvement and has accepted a five-year phased plan for what will be known as EuroEnglish (Euro for short).
In the first year, 's' will be used instead of the soft 'c'. Sertainly, sivil servants will resieve this news with joy. Also, the hard 'c' will be replaced with 'k.' Not only will this klear up konfusion, but typewriters kan have one less letter.
There will be growing publik enthusiasm in the sekond year, when the troublesome 'ph' will be replaced by 'f'. This will make words like 'fotograf' 20 per sent shorter.
In the third year, publik akseptanse of the new spelling kan be expekted to reach the stage where more komplikated changes are possible. Governments will enkourage the removal of double letters, which have always ben a deterent to akurate speling. Also, al wil agre that the horible mes of silent 'e's in the languag is disgrasful, and they would go.
By the fourth year, peopl wil be reseptiv to steps such as replasing 'th' by 'z' and 'w' by 'v'. During ze fifz year, ze unesesary 'o' kan be dropd from vords kontaining 'ou', and similar changes vud of kors; be aplid to ozer kombinations of leters.
After zis fifz yer, ve vil hav a reli sensibl riten styl. Zer vil b no mor trubls or difikultis and evrivun vil find it ezi tu understand ech ozer. Ze drem vil finali kum tru. Ja mein Fuhrer!
The European Union commissioners have announced that agreement has been reached to adopt English as the preferred language for European communications, rather than German, which was the other possibility. As part of the negotiations, Her Majesty's Government conceded that English spelling had some room for improvement and has accepted a five-year phased plan for what will be known as EuroEnglish (Euro for short).
In the first year, 's' will be used instead of the soft 'c'. Sertainly, sivil servants will resieve this news with joy. Also, the hard 'c' will be replaced with 'k.' Not only will this klear up konfusion, but typewriters kan have one less letter.
There will be growing publik enthusiasm in the sekond year, when the troublesome 'ph' will be replaced by 'f'. This will make words like 'fotograf' 20 per sent shorter.
In the third year, publik akseptanse of the new spelling kan be expekted to reach the stage where more komplikated changes are possible. Governments will enkourage the removal of double letters, which have always ben a deterent to akurate speling. Also, al wil agre that the horible mes of silent 'e's in the languag is disgrasful, and they would go.
By the fourth year, peopl wil be reseptiv to steps such as replasing 'th' by 'z' and 'w' by 'v'. During ze fifz year, ze unesesary 'o' kan be dropd from vords kontaining 'ou', and similar changes vud of kors; be aplid to ozer kombinations of leters.
After zis fifz yer, ve vil hav a reli sensibl riten styl. Zer vil b no mor trubls or difikultis and evrivun vil find it ezi tu understand ech ozer. Ze drem vil finali kum tru. Ja mein Fuhrer!
I am a mother pheasant plucker!
I am a mother pheasant plucker,
I pluck mother pheasants.
I am the
best mother pheasant plucker,
that ever plucked a mother pheasant!
Try this tongue twister without letting anything slip out! Courtesy of Jesz
I pluck mother pheasants.
I am the
best mother pheasant plucker,
that ever plucked a mother pheasant!
Try this tongue twister without letting anything slip out! Courtesy of Jesz
Thursday, June 09, 2005
"Your suffering is my enjoyment"
So we have a new HQ CSM, whose name is 2WO Chee. Some of my esteemed colleagues would add a suitable suffix to form a Hokkien expletive, but that's another story. His infamous quote on the first day proved me right, when I told Kimjin that "this roll call will set the tone for the rest of his reign". He then said the ill-dated sentence: "Your suffering is my enjoyment." He also proceeded to tell us how us being good, obedient soldiers would make him sad as he wouldn't have the chance to f**k us all.
Someone needs to check this fella before he kills us all. Anyway he's this imposing fella with a bald pate who's quite work-shy. And he's always saying anyone with hair longer than his needs a cut. It might be funnt the first time, but not the twentieth. Bleah.
Someone needs to check this fella before he kills us all. Anyway he's this imposing fella with a bald pate who's quite work-shy. And he's always saying anyone with hair longer than his needs a cut. It might be funnt the first time, but not the twentieth. Bleah.
Army Fitness System
My Comd now has me on board this exciting new initiative to evaluate and improve army fitness through optimal effort. Just sat through a three-hour meeting but emerged enthralled and perhaps rejuvenated that there perhaps is still some initiative and pro-activeness left in me. Perhaps it all boils down to the significance of what I am doing now and the fact that he trusts me to accomplish things working hand-in-hand with him. I respect him for his ideologies in getting work done and how he analyses problems and picks out the crux of the matter. I can learn problem identifying and solving from him. Perhaps the last four months of my NS liability will turn out to be the most productive. I appreciate the effort some people are putting in making the SAF a more efficient organisation, and not jsut working because it pays the bills. The motivation for the work you do is just as important as the tools you employ to achieve your goal. I hope to glean as much from him as I can in the little time I have left. All the same, I hope he doesn't stay back too late. =]
Guess-the-google
http://grant.robinson.name/projects/guess-the-google/
Theis website shows you a collage of 20 images and you're supposed to guess the word you can "google" to obtain those 20 images. Pretty fun, and actually needs brains to play. =]
Theis website shows you a collage of 20 images and you're supposed to guess the word you can "google" to obtain those 20 images. Pretty fun, and actually needs brains to play. =]
Tuesday, June 07, 2005
Church Camp in Trengganu
I won't be around next week as I'll be in sunny Trengganu NOT soaking up the sun for my Church Camp. Contrary to all expectations I managed to take leave to go and I'm really excited. Really looking forward to it and also revisiting a scene of great memories *wink*
I really hope I recover enough to play beach soccer and volleyball there. I want to play by faith to prove that God can give me the Quality of Life even though I have eczema.
I really hope I recover enough to play beach soccer and volleyball there. I want to play by faith to prove that God can give me the Quality of Life even though I have eczema.
Monday, June 06, 2005
Pastor Koo's sermon on 5 June: Living a Balanced Life
How to Grow in Physical Stature:
1. Get enough rest.
2. Make time for exercise.
3. eat healthy.
4. Avoid harmful habits and abusive practices.
5. Manage and reduce stress.
Practical wisdom
= Knowledge + Understanding
= Information + Transformation
Two Kinds of Wisdom:
1. Earthly, unspiritual, devilish
2. Heavenly, spiritual, divine
How to Get Wisdom:
1. Study the Scripture.
2. Read instead of watching TV or videos.
3. Read wholesome material.
4. Hang out with wise people.
5. Act on what you learn.
1. Get enough rest.
2. Make time for exercise.
3. eat healthy.
4. Avoid harmful habits and abusive practices.
5. Manage and reduce stress.
Practical wisdom
= Knowledge + Understanding
= Information + Transformation
Two Kinds of Wisdom:
1. Earthly, unspiritual, devilish
2. Heavenly, spiritual, divine
How to Get Wisdom:
1. Study the Scripture.
2. Read instead of watching TV or videos.
3. Read wholesome material.
4. Hang out with wise people.
5. Act on what you learn.
Saturday, June 04, 2005
Dr Seuss of Technical Support
Here's an easy game to play.
Here's an easy thing to say:
If a packet hits a pocket on a socket on a port,
And the bus is interrupted as a very last resort,
And the address of the memory makes your floppy disk abort,
Then the socket packet pocket has an error to report!
If your cursor finds a menu item followed by a dash,
And the double-clicking icon puts your window in the trash,
And your data is corrupted 'cause the index doesn't hash,
Then your situation's hopeless, and your system's gonna crash!
You can't say this?
What a shame sir!
We'll find you
Another game sir.
If the label on the cable on the table at your house,
Says the network is connected to the button on your mouse,
But your packets want to tunnel on another protocol,
That's repeatedly rejected by the printer down the hall,
And your screen is all distorted by the side effects of gauss
So your icons in the window are as wavy as a souse,
Then you may as well reboot and go out with a bang,
'Cause as sure as I'm a poet, the sucker's gonna hang!
When the copy of your floppy's getting sloppy on the disk,
And the microcode instructions cause unnecessary risc,
Then you have to flash your memory and you'll want to RAM your ROM.
Quickly turn off the computer and be sure to tell your mom!
Here's an easy thing to say:
If a packet hits a pocket on a socket on a port,
And the bus is interrupted as a very last resort,
And the address of the memory makes your floppy disk abort,
Then the socket packet pocket has an error to report!
If your cursor finds a menu item followed by a dash,
And the double-clicking icon puts your window in the trash,
And your data is corrupted 'cause the index doesn't hash,
Then your situation's hopeless, and your system's gonna crash!
You can't say this?
What a shame sir!
We'll find you
Another game sir.
If the label on the cable on the table at your house,
Says the network is connected to the button on your mouse,
But your packets want to tunnel on another protocol,
That's repeatedly rejected by the printer down the hall,
And your screen is all distorted by the side effects of gauss
So your icons in the window are as wavy as a souse,
Then you may as well reboot and go out with a bang,
'Cause as sure as I'm a poet, the sucker's gonna hang!
When the copy of your floppy's getting sloppy on the disk,
And the microcode instructions cause unnecessary risc,
Then you have to flash your memory and you'll want to RAM your ROM.
Quickly turn off the computer and be sure to tell your mom!
Friday, June 03, 2005
Off!
Wow it's a 2nd or 3rd off day in my NSF career! I have to go to two medical establishments later:
First, the National Skin Centre, and I forgot to bring my 11B. I hope they allow me to process my transaction even in the absence of my physical 11B. If not I have to do a medical claim which will take up to a month. I do believe today's bill will hit three figures. :p
Second, Dr Hia. He is a GP recommended by Pastor Nettie and he really seems to know what he's doing. His "two weeks on, two weeks off" Prednisalone (steroid) treatment seems to be working as I am improving. He also doesn't rush in his consultation and makes sure he has a full understanding of your symptoms and medical history before dignosis and medication, hence the long queues. I'm seeing him again later and I'll present my arsenal of creams and tablets from the Skin Centre. Among them is Elidel, a 25g tube of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory cream that corrects immune system dysfunctions. The cost? A cool $50, unless they've raised the price. Of course MINDEF's paying. I really do have to recover before ORD huh? I trust God that I will. =]
First, the National Skin Centre, and I forgot to bring my 11B. I hope they allow me to process my transaction even in the absence of my physical 11B. If not I have to do a medical claim which will take up to a month. I do believe today's bill will hit three figures. :p
Second, Dr Hia. He is a GP recommended by Pastor Nettie and he really seems to know what he's doing. His "two weeks on, two weeks off" Prednisalone (steroid) treatment seems to be working as I am improving. He also doesn't rush in his consultation and makes sure he has a full understanding of your symptoms and medical history before dignosis and medication, hence the long queues. I'm seeing him again later and I'll present my arsenal of creams and tablets from the Skin Centre. Among them is Elidel, a 25g tube of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory cream that corrects immune system dysfunctions. The cost? A cool $50, unless they've raised the price. Of course MINDEF's paying. I really do have to recover before ORD huh? I trust God that I will. =]
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