Monday, November 23, 2009
Trying out a DSLR

Borrowed a DSLR from my teacher for the upcoming conference event. It's my first time using such a bulky camera. But the effects are great!


My mum with the cheeky look.


My darlings.


Mamma chip and baby chip.

Sunday, November 22, 2009
Finally!

I've been absent from this blog for a long while... which is something I dislike.

It's been quite shiong trying to rush out all the assignments to submit. I have one more to go this Tues and after that will be the well deserved December holidays though there's still tons of work waiting during Dec. Haha.

I will write more when I get the time, meanwhile, back to work!

Sunday, November 08, 2009
Why people are entertained when others are hurt?

Today I was on the way back home at around 1pm and there was a group of people downstairs watching a performance of mutilation with whipping of different performers. They looked like they were hired by the muslim wedding at my house downstairs.


I was having insomnia last night so I took a short nap. At 6pm plus which is now, the event is still ongoing! There were even more people attracted to the performance. Many had sat down and treat it as a free show. They looked entertained.


And the whipping on nonstop. I could see some faces on agony on some of them.


And more performance involves trampling on a layer of cut glass/rock... don't know what it is from my house but it looked sharp.

This is my personal blog so I think I am entitled my free to say what I think.

I think this is really very sadistic. Why are we humans entertained to see people or performers of all sorts doing difficult or even sacrifical acts in front of us? It makes me really feel sick and I pity those people having to endure all these. Why of all, do this for a wedding when a wedding is supposed to be loving, binding, heartwarming... instead of mutilating, looking at others feeling pain.

As I am typing this, the performance is still ongoing. And I pray it will stop asap.

This reminds me of hindu devotees piercing, cutting and stepping on coal during Thaipusam. According to them, the greater pain you get, the more merits you gained. Sigh... Why do people go to great painful extent to gain merits why Christ has already paid it all for you, and all you have to do is to repent and believe in Him.

Here's a testimony of an ex Hindu devotee that turned to Christ: Pls read it as I think it's an eye opener to know more about a God that truly loves you and won't want to inflict cruelity onto you.

http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/shows/cwn/2008/June/Hindu-Idol-Maker-Turns-His-Life-to-Christ-/

Saturday, November 07, 2009
梁咏琪- 骆驼

Love this song a lot... lots of feel. The lyrics is very well written. It reminds me of my relationship and walk with God.

Listen it here:
http://www.yue365.com/play/500/85216.shtml

骆驼
作词:陈晓娟 作曲:陈晓娟

漫天黄沙风呼啸而过
睁不开眼我试用著用心摸索
不想错过任何线索
就算世界
乾枯成一片沙漠
对你的爱让生命复活
所谓脆弱是一种必然经过
当日升月落由不得我
我选择穿越这片沙漠

背负爱的骆驼
只想穿越沙漠
寻找一生中仅有的绿洲
孤单也不能让我退缩
追寻爱的骆驼
哪怕没有结果
幸福的轮廓是你画给我
我坚持爱你怎会怕寂寞

风沙带来爱的下落
我闻到芳香的花朵~喔

Sunday, November 01, 2009
蔡旻佑 Evan- 寂寞, 好了 review

I have been quite impressed at this young singer for his talent to write all his songs for his previous two albums. While looking forward to hear his latest 3rd album, it left me quite a bit of disappointment. The style is quite mix and it didn't really showcase his individuality this time.

And today I went to check at the credits of the songs and realized he only this time wrote 4 out of 10 songs. One of which seems to be partly copied from Chris Brown's With you song. For the other 6, one of which is a cover song.

To me, his songwriting and youth are his assets. Too bad, I have been rather disappointed this time, so I probably won't get this album.

Saturday, October 31, 2009
Matters that I dislike

There are a few stuffs that will put me off.

First- Lack of punctuality. I believe most of us do not like to waste time waiting for friends who are late. 5-10mins is ok. But more than that, it gets a bit bothersome. Especially when there's an event to attend to after which. Why do we then do unto others what we don't want others to do to us?

Second- Lack of response. If I send a sms or email someone seeking a response, and there is zero reply, it is probably plain rude. It sends off as a bad impression to me. Even if the message does not require a reply, a courteous reply or a word of appreciation like "thanks" will be best. I am trying to work on that too.

Third- Lack of sincerity. Many of us talk more than we do. Action speaks louder than words. If you decide to commit on something, do it and sustain it. I especially admire and respect people who keep their words. This is also something I want to work hard on.

Well, why am I put off? Probably due to pride or high expectation of others. But I know God wants me to humble myself and accept everyone for who they are. But if these people are willing to change, I hope they can do so, so that it will eventually benefit themselves and the people around them. :)

All was vanity

Ecclesiastes 2:10-11

Whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure, For my heart rejoiced in all my labor; And this was my reward from all my labor. Then I looked on all the works that my hands had done and on the labor in which I had toiled; And indeed all was vanity and grasping for the wind. There was no profit under the sun.

-----

This verse spoke to me today. I seldom restrain myself from whatever my eyes desired. Neither did I withhold my heart to pleasures. These desires and pleasures are not from God. Yet I build an idol from my achievement... and all was vanity.

God, please forgive me and give me the strength and grace to change. To build my life around You, and not my self-centredness.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009
NIE students can use NTU library resources

I was doing a Biology assignment and needed online journals that are not available in NIE library. As my library account in NUS has been terminated after graduation, I had no choice but to ask Grace who is in NTU to help me get the specific papers needed.

Later on, I realized this from the NTU library website: http://www.ntu.edu.sg/library/membership/student/pages/nie.aspx

--------------------------

NTU Library privileges are extended to NIE students from the following programmes:

• Bachelor's Degree
• Graduate Programmes (Master's Programme, PhD Programme, MEd Specializations)
• Graduate Diploma
• Postgraduate Diploma

Registration

• To activate your Library privileges, you may register during office hours at the Lee Wee Nam loan counter.
  Mon - Fri: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
  Sat: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
• You are required to produce your matriculation card for identification.

For enquiries, please call Access Services Division at 6790 4691 or e-mail: circulation@ntu.edu.sg

Membership Privileges

• Loan of library materials according to the borrowing privileges and rules.
• Access to information services provided by the Research Assistance Desk.
• Other library services available to Students.

--------------------------

Great! That means that I can borrow books and use their resources as well. After activating my membership at NTU library today, I went home and tried accessing the E-journals section and got this reply.

--------------------------
Dear User,

Please note that you have no access to our e-resources.

For all NIE staff, students and Library Alumni Members, you may access our e-resources only within the premises of the NTU Library. Other Library Associate Members will be required to approach the staff at the Research Assistance Desk, LWN Library for assistance. This is due to licensing agreements with vendors / publishers by which we have to strictly abide by.

You may email ltd@ntu.edu.sg or call 6790 6312 for clarification.

Thank you,
NTU Library
--------------------------

Nevertheless, it's still good we have access, just that we have to be within the library to get e-resources.

Hope this piece of information will be useful to my NIE friends.