New Wave of "Sitting-in-front-of-Computer"

Hola! :) This is a post on my new wave of anime/drama series. Watching 2 new dramas, one J and one K... you shld be able to guess. The J one is called Vampire Boy, which tells a story of a vampire coming to earth as a 'rite of initiation' into becoming a full fledged vampire. However, the boy falls in love with the human which spells disaster.... still halfway into it. But it's really angsty, this story. Reminds me of feelings of inadaquecy.

The other story is a light-hearted romantic Korean comedy called Soulmate. Not the newest drama around but still quite good... It plays on the love lives of a few couples and how they view their relationships from the men vs the women's point of view.

AND if i'm not ended yet,... also started back on Nodame Cantabile Paris - anime version... watched the drama already but this time gg back to the anime. It's just as lovely... and songs are wonderful.

So you just wonder - how come i have so much time.... well... my sleep is reduced as a result... whahaa.. AHHH is there anything to stop my anime-drama madness!!!

ANYWAY, just picking up on the opening and ending themes for the Nodame anime... They're actually remixes of real classical pieces. Sugoi!

Opening: "Sky High" by The Gospellers



Hear the similarity to Rachmaninov? you gotta listen to the middle part...



And the ENDing theme is 東京 et 巴里 (Tokyo to Paris) by 宮本笑里 (Miyamoto Emiri) x solita.



wahh... Miyamoto Emiri is so cool...

Anyway, the tune is from Ravel's Bolero...sounds familiar? Check my earlier post on that!

Ok signing off at 12:00am... like cinderella...

The Dark night of the soul

I am comforted. There is a place between hope and depression that exists. Read about Mother Teresa's Dark Night of the Soul

God Speaks through Circumstances

Wow... this is so true, but when it happens, it makes you wonder if it is God and at that point of time, it is often sooo hard to tell. Sometimes only on hind-sight and only after "NOT" following these circumstances or trying our hardest to go against them, that we realise that actually this was God's intended path.

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God Speaks through Circumstances
[ TGIF Today God Is First Volume 2, by Os Hillman 08-12-2009 ]

"As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother's womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things" (Eccl 11:5).

God will often use circumstances in our lives to direct us in making and confirming decisions. I have often discovered this to be the case - but only after a situation has occurred. I later look back and see how God worked in the situation.

Years ago, I launched a magazine designed for Christians in the workplace and I was having lunch with a Christian leader named Larry who headed a ministry that helps men and women apply biblical principles to managing money.

During our lunch, I explained to Larry that I had noticed that there were many grassroots workplace ministries cropping up all over the country. I asked Larry if he was familiar with some of the groups since he had taught a course and wrote a book on operating a business on biblical principles. But he said he was not. He then asked, "It would be nice to know what all these groups are doing so we don't duplicate efforts. Do you think you could invite some of these groups for a roundtable discussion?" I told him I would and I proceeded to invite four main workplace ministries that I had worked with in the past.

Then something unexpected began to happen. I began to get requests from ministries all around the country that had heard about the gathering and they were asking if they could attend the roundtable. By the time the event actually took place, 54 people showed up representing 45 organizations from around the country! Unfortunately, Larry had a last minute conflict and was not able to attend, and he informed me that I would have to host the meeting myself. That was the birth of Marketplace Leaders, the ministry I now lead full time. I often joke that God tricked me into starting this ministry because He knows I never would have done that on my own at that time.

God often confirms His direction through circumstances. Be on alert that when God sets up situations that are out of your control - He may be giving you direction through these circumstances.

The death of Death Note

Haaa.. read this review on Death Note - quite belatedly though.

http://www.theanimeblog.com/movie-reviews/death-note-live-action-movie-reviews-death-note-and-the-last-name/ (oct 2008)

BUt it's really true! I agree wholeheartedly!

The movie is nothing like the manga... ARGH! And thinking back, yah, misa misa was indeed too serious! ;)

And what now, there's going to be an american version of Death Note? :O

*Faintzzzz*

The art of happiness

Happy National Day! Haha… so belated.

Anyway, the post today is titled the ‘art of happiness’. Why? Because I woke up today with lots of worries. Yes, the long weekend is over, and also back to reality. So I started thinking about all those “what if’s and If onlys…” and naturally when you think of these things, one either gets really riled up or depressed over the great requirements or efforts one needs to take in order to “get there”.

Truly, our life is all about pursuit – getting richer, getting more security, gaining love, receiving the best, being something, achieving something… doing something… etc. When we think about all that, it could be both exciting, yet scary. And it borders on the line of “worry”.

So I decided to stop.

I decided today to leave it to God, to put my future into God’s hands.

It is easy to say then, that because I am a believer of God, it is so easy for pple like me to just say “leave it all to God”.

But actually, it is not so. As any normal person, who doesn’t worry? And naturally, it is actually more difficult to say that I would “leave it all to God”.

This is not just a careless statement that hints “I give up and stop thinking and don’t wanna do anything and just let God do everything”. Rather, it is a calculated measure and a step of faith that allows me to say that “I will leave it to God” and that “I am not able to have all the solutions to life, so let me just live it out a step at a time and listen to God to direct my paths”. This is what it means.

So as I say, I will leave it to God, it is a step of faith. To let my life be measured by how closely I walk with my Lord, how much I can hear His directions for my life, and to walk in His Ways.

Just this morning, I felt, that hey, I had forgotten all about this,… I had forgotten all about “walking in His ways” and from that thought, arises a new surge of desire to walk in the light, in the ways of God. To do so, much more prayer and communication must be done.. and therefore, a new desire to seek my creator once again and ask Him, what is the purpose of my life and where should I go next?

"I will go" by Hillsong London/United:


And then i came across a wonderful blogpost:
http://lostmoya.wordpress.com/2006/05/30/this-is-the-way-walk-in-it/

Some bible verses on this topic:

"My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,' says the Lord.
'For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9

"Blessed is every one who fears the Lord, who walks in His ways." Psalm 128:1

"Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it." Matthew 7:13-14

"And what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" Micah 6:8

"But My people would not heed My voice, and Israel would have none of Me.
So I gave them over to their own stubborn heart, to walk in their own counsels.
Oh, that My people would listen to Me, that Israel would walk in My ways!
I would soon subdue their enemies, and turn My hand against their adversaries." Psalm 81:11-14

"For forty years I was grieved with that generation, and said, ‘It is a people who go astray in their hearts, and they do not know My ways.’" Psalm 95:9

"You are my portion, O Lord; I have said that I would keep Your words.
I entreated Your favor with my whole heart; be merciful to me according to Your word.
I thought about my ways, and turned my feet to Your testimonies." Psalm 119:57-59

"To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul. O my God, I trust in You....
Show me Your ways, O Lord; Teach me Your paths.
Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation;
On You I wait all the day." Psalm 25:1-5

"Wait on the Lord, and keep His way, and He shall exalt you to inherit the land;" Psalm 37:34

"God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence." 1 Corinthians 1:27-30

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.
Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and depart from evil." Proverbs 3:5-7

"...present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.... And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." Romans 12:1-2

"...be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for 'God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.' Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." 1 Peter 5:5-8

"When you have eaten and are full, then you shall bless the Lord your God for the good land which He has given you. Beware that you do not forget the Lord your God by not keeping His commandments... lest when you have eaten and are full, and have built beautiful houses and dwell in them... your heart is lifted up ....then you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth.’...

"...you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth....Then it shall be, if you by any means forget the Lord your God, and follow other gods, and serve them and worship them, I testify against you this day that you shall surely perish. As the nations which the Lord destroys before you, so you shall perish, because you would not be obedient to the voice of the Lord your God." Deuteronomy 8:10-20

"For all that is in the world -- the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life -- is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever." 1 John 2:16-17

Wakeboarding & other happenings!

Last Sunday zhiwei shiwan jos and I went to wakeboard. First experience for Jos and I. It was fun and as zhiwei says, the aftermath is truly HORRENDOUS. A Superduper muscle ache man... muscles in places that you never knew existed.

Glad that i've finally went wakeboarding after procrastinating for like some 5 years? Well, THAT is certainly something to rant about! haha

Standing, then falling.. haha..

And now for Other happenings this week and A round of randoms:

- Met pauline - Glad you're back in HK safe & sound!
- Ruby... I'm really glad to see you once again too!
- Colleen... so glad you passed. So happy.
- William... Maybe it will be a blessing in disguise?
- YAM -- I say I panic because of "things" which are happening, but at the same time, I realise how much I will miss the ministry if I ever stop one day. I don't know... this Saturday alone, missing YAM, i realise that I miss playing the guitar, the worship songs, the everything. I realise, it is probably, missing time with God.
- Though, I still feel sad that many efforts seem useless, pointless.
- I wonder if I will ever do mission in Japan one day with the Jap language I am learning.
- I feel safe in blogger. Facebook is getting too populated and with people who don't really bother or know or want to know me --- and they are still on my friends' list.
- I wonder if I'll get married. I think i am scared of relationships, commitment, and generally, have a lower impression of myself than I should have.
- I realise that in order to find Peace, one needs to find a place of quiet, a short time even, to reflect and pray and then choose the path of action that results in the most joy to others. I decided just today, in the cab home, that I would spend tomorrow night with my mum, instead of myself, friends or so forth. And I felt most joyful.
- I thank God that He is always here.
- I sometimes wish I would be able to have more time, to do my paper toling... but when I DO have time, I watch my anime instead. What a mess.
- I also am not succeeding in reading my book "Wolf Totem". It's either boring, or I really sux at reading. I can't get past Chapter 2.
- Wedding dinners stress me. I am stressing over what will I do, wear, or appear or whom i will sit with, at this Sat's wedding of an old NTU course-mate.
- And I realise I don't have my SD Card!!!
- I must remember to make it to Mass this Sunday. It is already daunting enough now - foresee so many ways I could miss it once again.

Ok... TILL Next! Matta ne!

St. Therese of Liseux

Read the life of this wonderful saint here: St. Therese of Liseux. She was only 24 yrs old when she died. But she was so diligent in her life of love and service that she was canonised a saint after. Amazing.

Sam’s thoughts on St. Therese of Liseux:
Reading St. Therese’s account touched me through the simplicity of her life and goals. When I look at myself, I realize that I too, can learn a lot from her life and values.

For example, I have at many times in the past been demoralized while doing ministry work. I find myself doing the little things, but oftentime, wonder whether they have any purpose or meaning at all. Yet, I feel called to do it. Therefore, I find consolation in St. Therese’s life, as she was a young woman who went about her little things, without complaint at all. Instead, she used it to improve her character and spirituality with God. The Joy of the Lord is your strength --- I am reminded of this verse once again (in Nehemiah 8:10)

I am also inspired that St. Therese had experienced what we commonly hear about “the dryness in prayer”. I don’t even know if my “dry spells” are enough to be called that. Instead of giving up, she persevered even though it meant sleeping during prayer. Such discipline, I have yet to develop!

St. Therese once pondered: Love proves itself by deeds, so how am I to show my love? ---- I sometimes have the same kind of thought. I want to “do” things… though I do not actually like physical work (ironically). Well, St. Therese was not one to give up. Her solution was to prove her love through little sacrifices, every glance and word, and through doing the least of actions for love. This inspires me to more kind, gentle, loving and joyful, 24/7 Not just because of the circumstances around me. Each minute, is a sacrifice of love. It inspires me to be loving and cheerful at all times, in the workplace, at home, on the road, everywhere.