In case I need to come back to this again
http://ldsliving.com/story/68982-5-ways-fathers-influence-their-daughters
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Monday, April 08, 2013
big sister lessons.
You cannot fix someone else's life, you cannot tell someone else how to fix their life. you can only be available for support, and encourage them to figure it out. They've got to figure it out themselves.
Thursday, April 04, 2013
Tuesday, April 02, 2013
It matters whom you marry
Because I keep coming back to this article and forgetting where to find it.
http://thechristianpundit.org/2012/08/15/it/
on Marriage
http://thechristianpundit.org/2012/08/15/it/
on Marriage
Friday, March 22, 2013
Praise night
I was looking forward so much to playing the piano that I didn't get anything done today. Stared at my finals papers for a long time, scribbled some, attended lecture and nodded off (don't even know why, too much sugar in my blood maybe). But still, despite a pretty much wasted day, a night of worship never fails to lift the spirit! First time playing the piano and leading the singing in small group. Thank you God for such an opportunity!
Sunday, January 20, 2013
thoughts in Tahoe
家家有本难念的经
So really we are not so alone. it doesn't matter that people are not in the exact same situation. it doesn't matter that no one else can walk through this path for you. what matters is that there are people walking this path with you.
like how Sam says, "Mr Frodo, I can't carry it for you, but I can carry you"
and also where you place your hope. such that no matter how things turn out, we can have peace.
So really we are not so alone. it doesn't matter that people are not in the exact same situation. it doesn't matter that no one else can walk through this path for you. what matters is that there are people walking this path with you.
like how Sam says, "Mr Frodo, I can't carry it for you, but I can carry you"
and also where you place your hope. such that no matter how things turn out, we can have peace.
Saturday, January 12, 2013
The riches of work
I can't believe this article (Finding the true riches in work) got published in ST, it's so counter-cultural, but so true. How chasing after status and money isn't going to bring you much happiness on its own. It's not like it's new to me, actually lately I find myself wondering a lot about whether what I'm going after is going to bring benefit to others. There was a point in time when I decided you can't go into research thinking I will cure this/that or I will come up with this/that vaccine. It's almost by luck that you are at the right place with the right people at the right time - any good scientist in the field could have come up the same idea but might not have the right resource or expertise. And often the question asked is quite far removed from the actual therapy that I'll think, this is not a helpful question to ask.
Most of the people I meet who are really happy in science are people who just love figuring out stuff, if it is helpful for therapy then that's a bonus. But then again, perhaps the scientists who really love what they do, are those who enjoy the endless question asking and experimenting while at the same time remain hopeful and convinced that their work is useful in the medical realm.
Most of the people I meet who are really happy in science are people who just love figuring out stuff, if it is helpful for therapy then that's a bonus. But then again, perhaps the scientists who really love what they do, are those who enjoy the endless question asking and experimenting while at the same time remain hopeful and convinced that their work is useful in the medical realm.
Wednesday, January 09, 2013
'tis the season
where everyone clears out their houses
and dumped christmas trees line the sidewalks
and dumped christmas trees line the sidewalks
Wednesday, January 02, 2013
A familiar refrain
God on High, Hear my prayer
In my need, You have always been there
You can take, You can give
Bring him home
In my need, You have always been there
You can take, You can give
Bring him home
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Friday, November 09, 2012
Nobel prize immuno website!
Must come here again when I'm doing another class for high school kids
http://www.nobelprize.org/educational/medicine/immunity//immune-detail.html
Monday, November 05, 2012
fake accents
I'm a little happy that people will say I don't have an accent, and a little sad to have lost the ability to use a fake british accent.
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Wednesday, October 03, 2012
the perfect night
Walking barefoot on the beach. with soft soft sand seeping between my toes. using skyview app to identify constellations. random fireworks. awesome company. Moon shining on my bed as i sleep.
Monday, September 03, 2012
Transitions
Feels like I had an extended transition period. So great to have Mum around, something about 2 blur people that makes one feel less lonely. and great seniors who showed me all the ropes and provided me a cozy corner to rest for almost 2 weeks. Looking for a place to stay, navigating a strange city, and then looking for furniture and trying to time them all nicely to be picked up on the same day was a long-ish and arduous task. Luckily I didn't need to go it alone. Praise God for the people He placed in my life, the room and the furnitures He prepared for me, and the learning along the way. Now I'm ready to explore.
Monday, August 20, 2012
Sunday, August 19, 2012
A Dog
in case i lose it.
Being a veterinarian, I had
been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog's
owners, Ron, his wife Lisa , and their little boy Shane, were all very attached
to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle.
I examined Belker and found
he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn't do anything for Belker,
and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.
As we made arrangements,
Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to
observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the
experience.
The next day, I felt the
familiar catch in my throat as Belker 's family surrounded him. Shane seemed so
calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood
what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.
The little boy seemed to
accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together
for a while after Belker's Death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that
animal lives are shorter than human lives.
Shane, who had been
listening quietly, piped up, ''I know why.''
Startled, we all turned to
him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting
explanation. It has changed the way I try and live.
He said,''People are born
so that they can learn how to live a good life -- like loving everybody all the
time and being nice, right?'' The Six-year-old continued,
''Well, dogs already know
how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long.''
Live simply.
Love generously.
Care deeply.
Speak kindly.
Remember, if a dog was the
teacher you would learn things like:
When loved ones come home,
always run to greet them.
Never pass up the opportunity
to go for a joyride.
Allow the experience of
fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure Ecstasy.
Take naps.
Stretch before rising.
Run, romp, and play daily.
Thrive on attention and let
people touch you.
Avoid biting when a simple
growl will do.
On warm days, stop to lie
on your back on the grass.
On hot days, drink lots of
water and lie under a shady tree.
When you're happy, dance
around and wag your entire body.
Delight in the simple joy
of a long walk.
Be loyal.
Never pretend to be
something you're not.
If what you want lies buried,
dig until you find it.
When someone is having a
bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.
There comes a time in life,
when you walk away from all the drama and people who create it. You surround
yourself with people who make you laugh, forget the bad, and focus on the good.
So, love the people who treat you right. Think good thoughts for the ones who
don't. Life is too short to be anything but happy. Falling down is part of LIFE...Getting
back up is LIVING...
Have a great life.
Thursday, August 16, 2012
a youtube comment.
A Pastor once said to our congregation "If you are at your end, and you feel that you cannot go on any longer, then God must have incredible plans for your life if the enemy is trying so hard to talk you out of it." Remember that God has plans to prosper you, to give you hope and a future. It is the enemy that has plans to harm you. (Jeremiah 29:11)
on Kari Jobe's Here.
on Kari Jobe's Here.
Monday, July 30, 2012
In Christ Alone
In Christ alone, my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My comforter, my all-in-all
Here in the love of Christ I stand
There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ
No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
Till He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand
Till He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand
He is my light, my strength, my song
This cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My comforter, my all-in-all
Here in the love of Christ I stand
There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ
No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
Till He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand
Till He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand
Friday, July 27, 2012
garageband try1
first time i put something together in garageband! i can't believe i took so long for such a simple song!
Never grow up cover by emilytxz
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
God has been so generous today
9 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!
Matthew 7:9-11
Saturday, June 16, 2012
not for duty's sake
We are not meant to be seen as God’s perfect, bright-shining examples, but to be seen as the everyday essence of ordinary life exhibiting the miracle of His grace.
If I will do my duty, not for duty’s sake but because I believe God is engineering my circumstances, then at the very point of my obedience all of the magnificent grace of God is mine through the glorious atonement by the Cross of Christ.
-from utmost.
If I will do my duty, not for duty’s sake but because I believe God is engineering my circumstances, then at the very point of my obedience all of the magnificent grace of God is mine through the glorious atonement by the Cross of Christ.
-from utmost.
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Monday, May 14, 2012
You are alpha and omega
We can only depend on those who love us, those whose love is unchangeable, whose character is immutable. One who is always and will always be there. There is only one person that we can depend wholly on.
Sunday, April 29, 2012
God at work
As I listened to my senior pastor recount how he came to the vision and the values of the church, how it was undeniably God at work, I wondered whether my capability could become a hindrance for me when I fail to see how God was actually at work in every challenge that I've faced..
Monday, April 23, 2012
the purpose of this life
how often at various stages of my life have I pondered about this question..
when I see generation after generation of people brought to this earth, grow up as children, hope to find love, get married, have children, get a job, grow old, sometimes going through the motions as though it were a chore, especially when providence is uncertain, worrying about tomorrow. makes me ask, what is the point? so that one generation can learn to be more successful than the previous generation - as would be predicted by evolution based on adaptation to survive? adaptation to survive works when there is relative stability in environment, but not so much in environmental catastrophes, where survival does not depend on physical traits but by what people might call luck.
it is only in times of stability when we can "teach ourselves strategies that will allow us to become prosperous". but the world is not so stable is it? whether it is environmental disasters or unpredictable markets. when there is uncertainty, so-called "strategies" can fail. (so how can we rely on them?)
we are told from young - we must study hard, get many As, get into the best programmes, get all the relevant experiences, get many qualifications (the higher the better), and qualifications lead to better paying jobs, and then we don't need to worry about feeding ourselves (and our kids), getting a house. this message is ingrained when parents sign kids up for special tuition to take special exams. this message is ingrained when students take part in various activities (CCA, CIP, attachments...) to boost CV. this message is ingrained when students stay in school after the first degree to get a masters thinking it might give them an extra edge (which might not be true in every area of study).
when I see people using ways and means (lawful or not) to get around the system to climb the social or corporate ladder, I see it as a result of people's goal of being more successful than another, being more prosperous than another, maybe so that no one may look down on them, maybe so that one day they have something they can boast about.
and even when people become prosperous - are they satisfied?
could it be to fulfill childhood dreams? for some people fulfilling their dreams means getting the dream car dream house dream clothes/shoes. for some people fulfilling their dreams means doing something that helps them express themselves. for some people fulfilling their dreams means going to this place and that, to see the world, to meet lots of people. a lot of these dreams are self-centred dreams. but not everyone gets to fulfill their dreams, perhaps due to circumstance. so it cannot be that we live so as to fulfill our dreams, some lucky ones do. but that is not the end goal of living this life.
but everyone has a chance to find happiness, whatever their circumstance and situation.
i think, the purpose of this life is to learn to love. not just to be loved.
it is not so difficult to be loved - one can do things to try to attract people's adoration.
In learning to love, we learn
To treat any and everyone with care and respect
To give people the benefit of doubt
To be filled with compassion but not hatred
=> To be able to forgive
To be humble to learn from everyone
While not compromising on what is right and what is wrong
Such love may be viewed by people as foolish, as placing yourself in a situation where others could take advantage of you, or a situation where you receive no thanks for what you do. Certainly, loving others opens us to to disappointments or despair. But it is not about what you get in return for what you do. Your actions reinforce your principles. It's about what kind of character you build when you do certain things. It's between you and God and nobody else. And in difficult times, learning to love as we remind ourselves of God's love for us helps us-
To see any little blessing and find joy in it
To see God's providence and protective hand - and therefore be able to trust in it
That's all we really need to learn in this world - that we are loved by God and we should share this great love with the world.
when I see generation after generation of people brought to this earth, grow up as children, hope to find love, get married, have children, get a job, grow old, sometimes going through the motions as though it were a chore, especially when providence is uncertain, worrying about tomorrow. makes me ask, what is the point? so that one generation can learn to be more successful than the previous generation - as would be predicted by evolution based on adaptation to survive? adaptation to survive works when there is relative stability in environment, but not so much in environmental catastrophes, where survival does not depend on physical traits but by what people might call luck.
it is only in times of stability when we can "teach ourselves strategies that will allow us to become prosperous". but the world is not so stable is it? whether it is environmental disasters or unpredictable markets. when there is uncertainty, so-called "strategies" can fail. (so how can we rely on them?)
we are told from young - we must study hard, get many As, get into the best programmes, get all the relevant experiences, get many qualifications (the higher the better), and qualifications lead to better paying jobs, and then we don't need to worry about feeding ourselves (and our kids), getting a house. this message is ingrained when parents sign kids up for special tuition to take special exams. this message is ingrained when students take part in various activities (CCA, CIP, attachments...) to boost CV. this message is ingrained when students stay in school after the first degree to get a masters thinking it might give them an extra edge (which might not be true in every area of study).
when I see people using ways and means (lawful or not) to get around the system to climb the social or corporate ladder, I see it as a result of people's goal of being more successful than another, being more prosperous than another, maybe so that no one may look down on them, maybe so that one day they have something they can boast about.
and even when people become prosperous - are they satisfied?
could it be to fulfill childhood dreams? for some people fulfilling their dreams means getting the dream car dream house dream clothes/shoes. for some people fulfilling their dreams means doing something that helps them express themselves. for some people fulfilling their dreams means going to this place and that, to see the world, to meet lots of people. a lot of these dreams are self-centred dreams. but not everyone gets to fulfill their dreams, perhaps due to circumstance. so it cannot be that we live so as to fulfill our dreams, some lucky ones do. but that is not the end goal of living this life.
but everyone has a chance to find happiness, whatever their circumstance and situation.
i think, the purpose of this life is to learn to love. not just to be loved.
it is not so difficult to be loved - one can do things to try to attract people's adoration.
In learning to love, we learn
To treat any and everyone with care and respect
To give people the benefit of doubt
To be filled with compassion but not hatred
=> To be able to forgive
To be humble to learn from everyone
While not compromising on what is right and what is wrong
Such love may be viewed by people as foolish, as placing yourself in a situation where others could take advantage of you, or a situation where you receive no thanks for what you do. Certainly, loving others opens us to to disappointments or despair. But it is not about what you get in return for what you do. Your actions reinforce your principles. It's about what kind of character you build when you do certain things. It's between you and God and nobody else. And in difficult times, learning to love as we remind ourselves of God's love for us helps us-
To see any little blessing and find joy in it
To see God's providence and protective hand - and therefore be able to trust in it
That's all we really need to learn in this world - that we are loved by God and we should share this great love with the world.
Sunday, April 15, 2012
unappreciated
when helping someone and making life easier for someone else attracts no notice, no thanks, no assistance, possibly even rejection, when you feel taken for granted. God sees it. Continue because God notices. As His people and carriers of His name, let no one else's opinion matter above Jesus's.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
consider my loss
http://theamericanscholar.org/the-disadvantages-of-an-elite-education/
Because students from elite schools expect success, and expect it now. They have, by definition, never experienced anything else, and their sense of self has been built around their ability to succeed.
Now that students are in constant electronic contact, they never have trouble finding each other. But it’s not as if their compulsive sociability is enabling them to develop deep friendships. “To whom can I expose the urgency of my own passion?”
Because students from elite schools expect success, and expect it now. They have, by definition, never experienced anything else, and their sense of self has been built around their ability to succeed.
Now that students are in constant electronic contact, they never have trouble finding each other. But it’s not as if their compulsive sociability is enabling them to develop deep friendships. “To whom can I expose the urgency of my own passion?”
Wednesday, April 04, 2012
Reminder
We will be scattered, not into service but into the emptiness of our lives where we will see ruin and barrenness, to know what internal death to God’s blessings means.
Until Jesus Christ is truly our Lord, we each have goals of our own which we serve. Our faith is real, but it is not yet permanent. And God is never in a hurry. If we are willing to wait, we will see God pointing out that we have been interested only in His blessings, instead of in God Himself.
From Apr 04, Oswald Chamber's Daily Devotional
Until Jesus Christ is truly our Lord, we each have goals of our own which we serve. Our faith is real, but it is not yet permanent. And God is never in a hurry. If we are willing to wait, we will see God pointing out that we have been interested only in His blessings, instead of in God Himself.
From Apr 04, Oswald Chamber's Daily Devotional
Sunday, April 01, 2012
this is why guys must always make the first move
Gentlemen, you've got to have the GUTS to communicate your intentions. Ladies, if you are attracted to a guy who appears to share your interest but doesn't have the courage to communicate his feelings toward you, drop him like a bad habit. Men need to have enough sense and DISCERNMENT to recognise and acknowledge that spending time together creates some level of emotional commitment. Such a realisation should motivate a man to bring DEFINITION to the relationship. Guys, you are not ready for a relationship if you are content to continue flirting without sharing feelings. Feelings and intentions need to be communicated in the proper timing.
From Dating Delilah by Judah Smith
From Dating Delilah by Judah Smith
Thursday, March 08, 2012
Sunday, February 19, 2012
for my own reference.. PhD advice
http://www.nature.com/scitable/blog/labcoat-life/15_mistakes_young_researchers_make
http://matt.might.net/articles/ways-to-fail-a-phd/
Sunday, February 05, 2012
one at a time?
there's so many things I want to pray about, I hope I don't miss any out (though I'm sure I do), my heart can't even dedicate enough time to each of the things I'm concerned about. sometimes I wonder if things are going so slow because I don't spend enough time and heart praying about it.
Saturday, November 26, 2011
How rich are we?
A Christian's Possessions
A tax officer came one day to a poor Christian to determine the amount of taxes he would have to pay.
"What property do you possess?" asked the assessor.
"I am a very wealthy man," replied the Christian.
"List your possessions, please," the assessor instructed.
The Christian said:
"First, I have everlasting life. (John 3:16)
Second, I have a mansion in Heaven. (John 14:2)
Third, I have a perfect conscience & peace that passes all understanding. (Philippians 4:7)
Fourth, I have joy unspeakable. (1 Peter 1:8)
Fifth, I have divine love which never fails. (1 Corinthians 13:8)
Sixth, I have a faithful wife. (Proverbs 31:10)
Seventh, I have healthy, happy obedient children. (Exodus 20:12)
Eighth, I have true, loyal friends. (Proverbs 18:24)
Ninth, I have songs in the night. (Psalms 42:8)
Tenth, I have a crown of life. (James 1:12)"
The tax assessor closed his book, and said, "Truly you are a very rich man, but your property is not subject to taxation."
A tax officer came one day to a poor Christian to determine the amount of taxes he would have to pay.
"What property do you possess?" asked the assessor.
"I am a very wealthy man," replied the Christian.
"List your possessions, please," the assessor instructed.
The Christian said:
"First, I have everlasting life. (John 3:16)
Second, I have a mansion in Heaven. (John 14:2)
Third, I have a perfect conscience & peace that passes all understanding. (Philippians 4:7)
Fourth, I have joy unspeakable. (1 Peter 1:8)
Fifth, I have divine love which never fails. (1 Corinthians 13:8)
Sixth, I have a faithful wife. (Proverbs 31:10)
Seventh, I have healthy, happy obedient children. (Exodus 20:12)
Eighth, I have true, loyal friends. (Proverbs 18:24)
Ninth, I have songs in the night. (Psalms 42:8)
Tenth, I have a crown of life. (James 1:12)"
The tax assessor closed his book, and said, "Truly you are a very rich man, but your property is not subject to taxation."
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Monday, November 21, 2011
Thursday, November 17, 2011
freezing cold places
so my dad stopped me from applying to wisconsin thinking i'll freeze myself there. now i'm applying to a small ulu place where the nearest town is Minneapolis. O_O lets hope theres lots of snowy sunny days up there!
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
so cool
Did you know that the word "POSH" comes from maritime language?! The best cabins on Indiaman, a sailing ship that travelled between Britain and India, were the cooler cabins on the North side of the ship. Ones labeled as "Port side going Out, Starboard going Home"... or simply - POSH cabins
Wednesday, November 09, 2011
Tuesday, November 01, 2011
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Just a visitor
so he visited, we had a good dinner, drove us home, then he drove off. being together is only temporary. can we only have goodness for a short while...
There's a raging sea, right in front of me, wants to pull me in, bring me to my feet
So let the waters rise, if You want them to, I will follow you, I will follow you
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
1 Peter 1:4-7
In his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope, ... and into an inheritance..., kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith - of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire - may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed.
Tuesday, October 04, 2011
the power of our hearts
http://consciouslifenews.com/the-rescuing-hug-and-power-of-emotions/113772/
such joyful girls they've grown up to be: http://4nielsens.blogspot.com/
such joyful girls they've grown up to be: http://4nielsens.blogspot.com/
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
My opposition party is spending too much time refuting untrue claims. This time could be better spent on useful stuff instead of defending themselves against baseless attacks!
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Monday, July 25, 2011
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Forgiveness is one thing. reconciliation is another.
http://thinkpoint.wordpress.com/2011/07/16/a-closer-look-at-forgiveness/
forgiveness doesnt depend on the offender, reconciliation does. carefully observe changes in attitudes and behaviour before reconciliation.
Monday, July 18, 2011
Tuesday, July 05, 2011
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Saturday, June 18, 2011
blessed beyond belief
for a wonderful lab, amazing supervisors
for insightful discussions, great companions and great friendship
for perfect timing
for the lessons in life
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
today's message says...
that strong family makes a healthy foundation for life's adventures.
Family to support you in times of need, to challenge you to grow, to celebrate with you in times of victory. sweet.
Family to support you in times of need, to challenge you to grow, to celebrate with you in times of victory. sweet.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Thursday, June 09, 2011
graduate school applications
i havent even started and i'm already headaching.
i feel like i know enough things in enough depth that i dunno what to do my phd in (cos i dun wanna study all the immunology again or all the individual infections again)
but i don't feel like i know how to be a scientist yet, ask questions, design experiments, make sure i have all my controls, think about all the confounding factors..
vaccine trials?
more infection immunology?
...structural biology?
what about pharmacology..
Sunday, June 05, 2011
bookmarked for reading
http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/201104/6-clues-character
Attributes in people that are generally accurate in the long term
Sunday, May 29, 2011
my facebook status
i wasn't expecting great popularity, likes and comments on my status.
it reads: after 2 days of scrubbing my toilet is SHINY =D
so many people came to 'like' it, i think people who like it, like it for at least 1 of 3 reasons:
1- they like my standard of cleanliness, ie shiny
2- they like that i care about the cleanliness of the toilet
or 3- they like that i was honest about the previous state of my toilet (it really wasn't that bad, if it was bad enough i would have been unable to sleep, my housemates can testify to me sleeping late because i was cleaning the loo)
i didn't think i needed a particularly good reason for cleaning up the house before i have guests. mum or friends, i always thoroughly clean up the house before my guests come: my room, the kitchen, the toilet. (yes i have an obsession with the loo)
and the reason is not about being 'fake'. i may be comfortable living in 'dirty' conditions, but my guests might not, and as a host my primary responsibility is to make sure my guests are comfortable. the toilet is an intimate area, you don't want to worry about getting fungal/bacterial/viral infection because you used a dirty toilet. the kitchen is where you prepare food, you don't want your guests coming to see the state of your kitchen and wondering if the food you cook is really properly edible or whether they will get food poisoning from poor kitchen cleanliness.
and then theres the discussion about being a woman:
basically my 'defence' to cleaning my toilet before my mum came was that i didnt want her going on about how i'm not fit to be a woman, which i said in a half joking manner. clearly it didnt quite come across as a joke cos my friend was appalled: "utter rubbish, ur fitness to be a woman bears no relation to the state of your toilet; u do not have to make ur toilet sparkle just to prove to society or ur mum that u r a woman." my darling mum has her curious definitions of being a woman, like knowing how to wash dishes in her unique systematic way, or combing your hair every morning, or having a neat room. it probably rubbed off a little on me and my definition of being a good woman includes having a proper standard of hygiene. maybe i'm the only one going to people's houses and passing judgement on people's standard of hygiene based on kitchen and toilet cleanliness. i'm not doubting that i am a woman, and i'm not proving that i'm a woman. i have my personal principles and i keep by them.
besides, if my mum, after seeing the state of my toilet, decides to scrub it down for me. she's not going to stop just because i say so, and her scrubbing down my toilet is going to make me feel awful. doesn't that kind of show that I still need my mum to clean up after me?
coffee and baileys is keeping me up longer than i should.
Monday, May 23, 2011
Sunday, May 22, 2011
music genius
the lyrics are amazing. and so is the use of 5/4 beats in the verses, and the seamless transition from 5/4 to 6/4.
Saturday, May 21, 2011
exams
bane of my life.
i don't know whether i wish for them to be more drawn out. just don't have enough time, brain space and brain power for the last 2. argh effects of exhaustion. and now i'm tired before lunch, my tummy feels strange when it is hungry and still feels strange when i eat, and because i'm already tired i think post prandial lethargy will be worse. maybe i need some chocs and brain stimulants.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
make the deaf hear, make the blind see
Today I watched videos from a couple who have lots of tattoos and piercings, their videos was about their really cute babies..
and I watched a couple of videos about pink dot 2010.
and I thought sometimes the people who look flawed on the outside, are the people who are least flawed on the inside. and those who look perfect on the outside could be motivated by all the wrong things, they are merely building up a kingdom of self.
and I realised that my ability to embrace people who are different from me, who are different from the norm, reflects what I value on the inside..
For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 2 Timothy 4:3
are you only listening to what you want to hear?
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
this is so true.
when sin dehumanises people..
Because sin is antisocial, it tends to dehumanize the people in our lives.
No longer are they objects of our willing affection. No, they quit being the people we find joy in loving.
Rather, they get reduced to one of two things. They are either vehicles to help us get what we want or obstacles in the way of what we want.
When your wife is meeting the demands of your wants, needs, and feelings, you are quite excited about her, and you treat her with affection.
But when she becomes an obstacle in the way of your wants, needs, and feelings, you have a hard time hiding your disappointment, impatience, and irritation.
This is where another eloquent biblical observation comes in. It is that we are kingdom-oriented people. We always live in the service of one of two kingdoms.We live in service of the small, personal happiness agenda of the kingdom of self, or we live in service of the huge, origin-to-destiny agenda of the kingdom of God.
From TGC
Because sin is antisocial, it tends to dehumanize the people in our lives.
No longer are they objects of our willing affection. No, they quit being the people we find joy in loving.
Rather, they get reduced to one of two things. They are either vehicles to help us get what we want or obstacles in the way of what we want.
When your wife is meeting the demands of your wants, needs, and feelings, you are quite excited about her, and you treat her with affection.
But when she becomes an obstacle in the way of your wants, needs, and feelings, you have a hard time hiding your disappointment, impatience, and irritation.
This is where another eloquent biblical observation comes in. It is that we are kingdom-oriented people. We always live in the service of one of two kingdoms.We live in service of the small, personal happiness agenda of the kingdom of self, or we live in service of the huge, origin-to-destiny agenda of the kingdom of God.
From TGC
Monday, May 16, 2011
Sunday, May 15, 2011
i'm going to need to start enjoying writing..
"I think it's far more important to write well than most people realize. Writing doesn't just communicate ideas; it generates them. If you're bad at writing and don't like to do it, you'll miss out on most of the ideas writing would have generated." http://www.paulgraham.com/writing44.html
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Monday, May 09, 2011
Today David Stroud said he observed that
Men who grow up without a Father lack the strength required of Manhood, not physical strength but emotional strength, strength of character, to deal with difficult issues.
Women who grow up without a Father lack the affirmation of self worth, and turn to other things for that, one such is pleasing others with sexual favours.
wow.
From Lee Weiling's column in Mar 2010
"I am with Mahatma Gandhi on this score. When asked once if he felt under-dressed when he met the King of England and Emperor of India, he replied: 'The King was wearing enough clothes for both of us.'
Part of the reason I share this sentiment is that I detest the consumerism so rife in our society. I see many of my patients, especially the older adolescent and young women, dressed in clothes that must cost them at least half their monthly salaries. I also see wealthy women dressed in fabulous concoctions that must cost the equivalent of many months of a bus driver's salary.
I try to remind myself that it is their right to spend their money as they wish. My personal values are mine, and I have no right to impose them on others or judge others by my own yardstick.
Still, I would discourage my readers and friends from placing too high an emphasis on their attire, whether it be undergarments or over-garments. Like other material possessions, expensive clothes are 'red dust', giving their wearers only a transient illusion of physical beauty.
Physical beauty will eventually fade. To place too great an emphasis on it will one day cause psychological distress.
By renouncing as many items of 'red dust' as possible, we would be less tied down emotionally by material luxuries and we would become better and more charitable people."
Part of the reason I share this sentiment is that I detest the consumerism so rife in our society. I see many of my patients, especially the older adolescent and young women, dressed in clothes that must cost them at least half their monthly salaries. I also see wealthy women dressed in fabulous concoctions that must cost the equivalent of many months of a bus driver's salary.
I try to remind myself that it is their right to spend their money as they wish. My personal values are mine, and I have no right to impose them on others or judge others by my own yardstick.
Still, I would discourage my readers and friends from placing too high an emphasis on their attire, whether it be undergarments or over-garments. Like other material possessions, expensive clothes are 'red dust', giving their wearers only a transient illusion of physical beauty.
Physical beauty will eventually fade. To place too great an emphasis on it will one day cause psychological distress.
By renouncing as many items of 'red dust' as possible, we would be less tied down emotionally by material luxuries and we would become better and more charitable people."
At some point in the future, should someone compile all of lee weiling's essays in Sunday Times into a book I will buy many copies of it.
Saturday, May 07, 2011
Today's message says
you don't go to find meaning in life, you bring meaning to your life.
Meaning isn't something out there waiting for you to discover. The meaning of your life is what you infuse it with - beauty or ugliness, happiness or sadness. It is totally your choice, and God wants it to be your choice because God gave you free will.
Meaning isn't something out there waiting for you to discover. The meaning of your life is what you infuse it with - beauty or ugliness, happiness or sadness. It is totally your choice, and God wants it to be your choice because God gave you free will.
Wednesday, May 04, 2011
omg i cant believe i'm making myself drink tomato juice to get rid of my stuck nose. it is disgusting, and diluting it out just increases the volume. it is salty and sour at the same time and my taste buds are so overwhelmed.. eeks eeks. seems like the only way to get it down is to add chilli oh my my..
Tuesday, May 03, 2011
Saturday, April 30, 2011
The good man and the power of forgiveness
“David Marshall is responsible for 200 murderers walking freely the streets of Singapore.”
Monday, April 25, 2011
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
when sight makes you blind
i think some of the most important things to 'see' are things that you need to close your eyes and feel
Monday, April 18, 2011
needs and strength
I always warned myself against needing anyone too much. The more you need and depend on someone else, the less you're able to stand on your own, the weaker you become. But there's one, where the more you go to Him, the more you need Him, the more you're able to draw strength from Him, and this strength will not run out.
Monday, April 11, 2011
what is a levels..
when u come to final year at uni. i wished my first 2 years could pre-empt the difficulty of 3rd year. oh my god.
Saturday, April 09, 2011
today's message says
that family is not a name for a group of people, but the quality of relationships between them.
Relationships grounded in mutual love, trust, caring and forgiveness. In all the ups and all the downs of life. Look closely, - who is really your family, and who in truth are just strangers in for the ride?
Thursday, April 07, 2011
Fruit of the Spirit
Love Joy Peace Patience Kindness Goodness Faithfulness Gentleness and Self-Control
Wednesday, April 06, 2011
Tuesday, April 05, 2011
in the mood
for everything except shopping and studying. haha never thought they would one day fall in the same category
Sunday, April 03, 2011
shopping is the bane of my life
ok so i know i need new clothes. but nothing in the shops really entice me. how?
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Monday, March 28, 2011
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Dunford house
there are some places in the world, that are so clean, so pure, with no pretense, and you feel it bursting with all things good, protected from all the pollution, noise, deception and chicanery of the other world. and you feel like you want to be like that, to be cleansed, to forever stay in such a place. but no one stays in one place for all their life, so I hope that I can still bring that feeling with me even after leaving.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Sunday, March 20, 2011
greece or not?
It doesn't make sense for my mum to fly here twice in a matter of 2 weeks. she doesn't even enjoy the sea like I do. will greece be affected by the libyan violence?
**
i think i'm volunteering too much. it is making me =(
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Sunday, March 13, 2011
asleep at 6pm
I want a grad trip. to greece. no i don't think i wanna go to anywhere else. i have a hunch it is going to be a solo trip. =/
Saturday, March 12, 2011
stupid girl.
i feel that as i grow older i get dumber. simple things that i just don't see, and it is not because i'm tired.
running controlled experiments is soo difficult! omg i didnt know i would be saying this when i'm in uni!
today i realised that dyslexic people are geniuses!
Monday, March 07, 2011
a glorious weekend
where good things happened
toy story 3 is super awesome! who wants to watch it again!
Thursday, March 03, 2011
phd
Is it very bad if the place I do my PhD is determined by whether or not it is sunny, whether or not it is close to the sea, whether or not I can visit canadian rockies and alaska? There MUST be one small productive lab with a good PI, in a subject area I'm interested in such a place?
Tuesday, March 01, 2011
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