Monday, December 10, 2007
Counting Down to Christmas
I think it is gonna be a great Christmas this year. For once I am feeling the true meaning of it and am thankful for this special day/event.
Previous Christmases had me swamped with presents and wishlists and gifts for others. Well, this year should be no difference. HAHA. I've had a few usual pple ask me what I want this year, but honestly, I couldn't think of anything which I really really wanted. I think it might scare them if I told them my real wish, and that is to go to heaven asap. HAHA. No la.. I am still enjoying time here on earth.
There is just one thing that I read about this morning, which I thought would possibly be the only thing I really want for christmas this year. That is a book by presidential candidate Barack Obama, titled "The Audacity of Hope". I think this man is special and if he ever gets elected, something special will come out of it. I just wanna read more to know the details. He has moved me with his attitude and perspectives, not only in political affairs but his emphasis on morals and values, Christian values that is.
Yup, that should be about all I would love to have this year. Hehe.
Zip. Zlich. Zero. Y
@ 10:10 pm
Isn't it amazing that George Carlin - comedian of the 70's and 80's - could write something so very eloquent...and so very appropriate.
A Message by George Carlin:
The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways , but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.
We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.
We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.
We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor.
We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things. We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice.
We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.
These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships.
These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes.
These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill.
It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete...
Remember;
spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.
Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side. Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.
Remember, to say, "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you. Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.
Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.
AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.
George Carlin
Zip. Zlich. Zero. Y
@ 7:09 pm
Saturday, December 08, 2007
Cleve is 6 months old!
Check out my darling cousin's 'yan3 shen2', can you feel it?!
He looks u right in your eyes and as you start to melt away, he gives this How'd-u-do-my-lady look, as shown above.
Some people take a lifetime to master this look, and he's got it already, at this tender age of 6 months old!
Now everybody go.. "Awwwww.. So handsome!!"
Zip. Zlich. Zero. Y
@ 11:49 pm
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
Music, Worship & Selling
Mmm.. somehow I think these 3 things are somehow related. I was on the bus on the way to office and I was about to flip the book I bought. As I was listening to the worship songs playing on my mp3 player, I stopped to just really listen to the lyrics of the songs. I think that was one of the very few times I actually did that.
I realised music, especially worship songs, is just melodious expression of our lives, our emotions and thoughts. From the artist/composer point of view, it is as simple as that. Their music is then used by others for the same purpose of expressing similar emotions and thoughts.
That is somewhat the essence of worship using music, isnt it? We use these songs to express our thanksgiving, love and awe for our Lord. It is no wonder why pastors and church leaders would warn us to not indulge in the music and hype, but to focus on the object of worship, which is God.
Whatever the content of the music, in my opinion, it is one of the easiest thing to sell. Whoever has emotions, can think and can hear will surely buy music. It is no wonder millionaires are made thru the music industry. Sad to say, many have misused it by emphasizing hedonistic and meaningless desires just so they can make their millions from the manipulated masses. Music could so easily be a hindrance as well as a very powerful tool to enrich our relationship with Him.
Back to the idea of worshipping, the book that I am reading says that worship doesnt only come in the form of songs and speech. EVERYTHING that we DO is a form of worship. It is no wonder why some people would think that religion is restrictive and full of rules and laws to abide by. The good news for those who buy the idea of religion is that there are so many opportunities everyday to give thanks to our God, coz EVERYTHING that we DO is a form of worship.
Someone ever told me that the first selling idea was proposed by God Himself. I kinda agree. When someone sells, there has to be a buyer. When someone buys an idea, selling has effectively taken place. Don't u then agree that one of the fundamental skills and mechanism of the world is.. selling!? Once again, people misuse this understanding and we end up with rows and pages of advertisements rudely placed in front of us, whether we like it or not. Sometimes we fall prey to these selling/marketing techniques without realising it. i.e. we let these things control our actions without realising we have lost that control. The very effective use of Music has also been misused for the purpose of selling. It is no wonder God is increasingly of less significance to some.
Honestly, this world is a horrible place to live in coz it is mightily warped and ugly. It is such good news to know that it is only transcient. I guess this is the best news to believers, something that keeps us hopeful, grateful and happy each day. =)
Zip. Zlich. Zero. Y
@ 1:57 pm
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
Holiday
We are just x days away from Christmas, our favourite season of the year. Yay.
This year there will be less pricey presents from me coz I am kinda economically less well-off. I am not kinda, I AM not as economically rich as I used to be, not that I was very rich to start with me. At least I was better before. But whatever it is, presents will still be there.
Instead of placing so much emphasis on impressing people with how much I am willing to spend on their xmas presents, in doing so, boosting my ego and self-image, I have decided to, not that I have a choice, to buy more meaningful presents. Meaningful in the sense that I would rather, not that I have a choice now, buy presents that will complement or accentuate the meaning of Christmas. Afterall, it IS all about CHRIST.
My bf suggested getting presents from Taiwan when we head there next week. But given the fact that I take forever to pick presents even when I am in the comfort of my own country, I doubt that one short week will be sufficient time for me to buy x no. of gifts. Therefore, I have a very strong feeling that shopping will still be done in Singapore. My holiday in Taiwan will be a holiday with minimal hectic shopping. I am so looking forward to boozing everynight there! Yummy!
Gotta run get some faulty home appliance changed now. Jap brands are always better. Boo to local elec brands...
Zip. Zlich. Zero. Y
@ 8:38 pm
Sunday, December 02, 2007
All Colours are Essential
What would we do without
Red?
What would we do without Blue?
Will you still be my friend if I am Black?
LOL~
Zip. Zlich. Zero. Y
@ 9:21 pm
I am convinced I cannot multitask as well as I thought I could. When I think I dont act, and when I act, I dont think very well.
ANyway, I've been reading 2 books lately which have set me thinking about... life. First one I picked up from borders was something recommended by my sister in Switz, titled Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren. A good starter to the day. Second book is titled The Jesus I Never Knew by Philip Yancey. Another christian author with good insight into the faith. I am very in the mood to not do anything but finish off the books.
It is going to be a long night ahead. wahaha
Zip. Zlich. Zero. Y
@ 7:28 pm
Check out my darling cousin's 'yan3 shen2', can you feel it?!
What would we do without Red?