Now I live to bring Him praise /// 5:28 PM
Thank You, Father, for close friends who offer their listening ears, in these 'down' moments of my life.
In the stillness,
I know that You are God.
diversity /// 10:03 PM
Been enjoying my practicum so far, praise God!
Despite the horror stories I've heard, I must say that His grace has been sufficient and everything has been going rather smoothly. The culture in school is awesome and the teachers are friendly and in a way, hospitable. It hastens the process of settling into the school.
Anw, was reading a book about a painter who simply loved painting with my pupils today. There was a conflict in the story whereby the grown-ups felt that the painter was "doing nothing" all day and should be more like them. It led me to ask my pupils this question, "Do you agree with the adults that the painter should be more like them (perhaps to be working all day) and stop painting?"
Even though most of them took on the perspectives of the adults, I wanted them to realise something important, that they can relate to their lives; that there is nothing wrong with doing what you are passionate about. That even if they find it difficult to be like the rest of their peers who are good at studying, as long as they are passionate about something else, it is okay for them to pursue their interests, be it in the music, art industry etc. As long as they have tried their best in their studies, they needn't and shouldn't compare their results with their classmates'.
Hmm just hope that Parents won't give me any trouble tmr.
Thank you /// 7:49 PM
Grant my sister journey mercies back to Australia, and Father, thank You for a sister as wonderful as her. I pray that she will continue to find favour in your sight, grow to be a lady of Godly character and with a heart for others.
Till we meet again, Jean bean <3 p="">
Here I am, take me /// 11:17 AM
Alabaster Jar
This alabaster Jar is all I have of worth
I break it at Your feet, Lord
It's less than you deserve
You're far more beautiful, more precious than the oil
The sum of my desires and the fullness of my joy.
Like you spilled your blood, I spill my heart
As an offering to my king
Here I am, take me as an offering
Here I am, giving every heartbeat for your glory
Take me
This tim that I have left is all I have of worth
I lay it at Your feet, Lord, it's less than You deserve
And though I've little strength and though my days are few
You gave you life for me so I will live my life for you
Like you spilled your blood, I spill my heart
As an offering to my king
Here I am, take me as an offering
Here I am, giving every heartbeat for your glory
Here I am, take me as an offering
Here I am, giving every heartbeat for your glory
Take me
Worthy, worthy, You are worthy, worthy is the Lord
Worthy, worthy, You are worthy, worthy is the Lord
I learnt that /// 1:57 AM
God's soft prompting can't be easily ignored.
Chances, what do they signify? /// 12:59 PM
Thank You, Father, for the posting of my new school.
I'm so excited to be a part of the new culture and family :)
Have a blessed Chinese New Year Eve, everyone!
Living the life /// 5:56 PM
Tuesdays with Morrie
Excerpts of their conversation:
Morrie: I'm a lucky man.
Mitch: You're lucky?
Morrie: Yeah, I still got time to learn. Time to say goodbye to the people I love.
Mitch: What are you thinking about?
Morrie: I'm just thinking about regrets... Pride, Vanity, Hardness of heart.
Morrie: This is what I call the tension of opposites. Life pulling you back and forth like a rubber band. Pulling you one way, you think that's what you want to do. Pull you another way, you think that's what you have to do.
Mitch: Sounds like a wrestling match.
Morrie: Well you could describe life that way.
Mitch: So who wins?
Morrie: Love, love always wins. You don't believe that?
Morrie: Aging isn't just decay. It's growth.
Mitch: How come nobody ever says "I wish I were old"?
Morrie: I had my time to be 22. This is my time to be 78.
Morrie: I love you.
Mitch: I love you too, Coach.
Morrie: You know something else? You always will.
Quotes by Morrie himself:
What is it about silence that makes people uneasy? Why are people feeling comfortable only when they are filling the air with words?
When you know how to die, you know how to live.
We learn from what hurts us, as much as what loves us.
Let's talk about how much we meant to each other
How can you spare someone's feelings by denying them (those feelings)?
My father was afraid of love. He couldn't give it. He couldn't receive it either. Maybe that's worse- not letting ourselves be loved, because we were afraid of giving them to someone we might lose.
Just imagine a little bird on your shoulder and everyday you say, "Is this the day that I am going to die, little bird? Am I ready? Am I leading the life I want to lead? Am I the person I want to be?" If we accept the fact that we are going to die anytime, we will lead our lives differently.
If you have a bird on your shoulder, you won't put off the things closest to your heart.
Set it right. Love is the only rational act. Let it come in.
There is this little wave. And he is out there bobbing up and down and have a grand old time, just enjoying the sunshine, until he sees the other waves. He sees the other waves crashing into the shore and he gets scared. And the other wave says to him, "Why do you look so sad?" And the little wave says, "Because we are going to crash, all of us are going to be nothing. Do you understand?" And the other wave says, "You don't understand. You're not a wave. You're part of the ocean, part of the ocean."
Have you ever had a special teacher? One who taught you things you may not understand but who never give up? Who knows that really tough lessons take a lifetime to learn?
We live to be touched, to be held, comforted. We never seem to get enough of that.
Death ends a life, not a relationship.
This movie is about life and love. It made me cry.
If physical time comes to a standstill (it won't)... /// 10:29 PM
Sometimes,
you can't help but
feel delighted
when someone remembers
little details about
you.
Tomorrow, the clock will continue its business of telling time and we will wake up, look out of the windows and realise that the curtains of the day has just begun to draw open. The clouds will still light up the delicate pale blue sky and the sun will stand as supernaturally as ever. Nothing has and will change. And perhaps somewhere in the world, people will wake up with renewed hope that life has started again.
Finding happiness /// 12:23 PM
Ever since the last post, it has been a time of restorative withdrawal, where my priorities are redefined and perspectives refocused.
Been doing a lot of reflecting, housework, catching up with different groups of friends everyday and doing lots of reading as well.
There's this book i really liked and it's by Dr Henry Cloud, "The Law of Happiness".
It says that Happy People are
Givers
Not lazy about Happiness
Don't wait for "Someday"
Pursue Goals
Fully Engage
Connect
Don't Compare Themselves
Think Well
Are Grateful
Have Boundaries
Forgive
Have a Calling
Have faith
All of them are scientifically backed up by research as well as the bible. I love how Cloud puts it in simple terms so that it is easy to remember and understand as well.
Actually, I've been kinda guilty because I was supposed to have started on my 5 assignments like this week (according to my schedule), but the inertia is still pulling me towards the other direction. Rather, I see the holidays as a time of self-development and growth. The shelves have been gradually stacked up with more books this holidays; in fact i just bought 6 books this week. haha. But i've always loved reading and I'm so glad I returned back to my first love of immersing myself in my books and learning so much from them.
I'll leave you with a sentence from Dr Henry Cloud and a song from Carly Rose Sonenclar, a rising superstar. When she sings, I can feel goosebumps appearing all over my arms.
"The power of your thinking is more powerful than anything that can happen to you." - Cloud
Just some photos /// 11:54 PM
Postcards that I thought are pretty nice. Created by my sister's life group.
Some of my classmates this semester. They are the nicest and funniest people ever!
Brunch @ Prive with bestie :)
A night which made me laugh so hard till my stomach hurt
/// 11:28 PM
As The Deer
C G/B Am C7/G
As the deer panteth for the water
F G C F/G
So my soul longeth after Thee
C G/B Am C/G
You alone are my heart's desire
F G C G/B
And I long to worship Thee
(Chorus)
Am Fmaj7 G/F Em7 Am7
You alone are my strength, my shield
F Dm E
To You alone may my spirit yield
C G/B Am C/G
You alone are my heart's desire
F G C
And I long to worship Thee
You're my friend and You are my brother
Even though You are a king
I love You more than any other
So much more than anything
Chorus
I want You more than gold or silver
Only You can satisfy
You alone are the real joy giver
And the apple of my eye
This song calms the soul, mind and heart :)
This holiday is teaching me how to manage my time effectively.
Tasks/activities to complete in December:
1. Collate church camp worship songs (almost done)
2. As a leader, think about what I want for my group to achieve and how to bond the group
3. 2 math assignments (Test construction and Microteaching) to start this holiday (due next semester)
4. Gesl project. Finish up overdued minutes and decorate website.
5. Start on e-portfolio (procrastination is my middle name)
6. Do overdued reflections for QCE english
7. Complete reading at least 4 books (Progress: Started on 3 already)
8. Meet up with close friends (...in progress...)
9. Attend two weddings
10. Prepare for carolling on the 24th of Dec (...in progress...)
11. Pack my room (done)
12. Clear my wardrobe (done)
13. Spend more time packing the house
14. Plan for Taiwan (done)
15. Exercise more!!! (not at all done, unless you count hanging the clothes to dry or running for buses)
16. Spend more time with Mum. (...in progress...)
17. Start cultivating motherly skills like baking/cooking (erm have to buy oil hehe)
Thank You, Lord, for Your Words.
Allow it to seep into my heart and let me meditate on them day and night.
Realising strength for daily living /// 2:02 PM
Memorising - > Meditating -> Applying
8 things - A command to obey
"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is
true, whatever is
noble, whatever is
right, whatever is
pure, whatever is
lovely, whatever is
admirable - if anything is
excellent or
praiseworthy - think about such things." -Philippians 4:8
Hold our thoughts up against God's standards of what is true and real.
"For the word of God is living and powerful,
and sharper than any two-edged sword,
piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow,
and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."
- Hebrews 4:12
Been mentally preparing for school these couple of days. Had files labelled "building rapport", "self-discovery" etc which include fun activities to develop teacher-student relationship. The folder on "self-discovery" include many poems/notes of encouragements to immerse them in a classroom environment where I hope to develop a culture of confidence and belief in themselves.
One of the poems in the folder "self-discovery" goes like this:
Believe in yourself
to the depth of your being
Nourish the talents
your spirit is freeing.
Know in your heart
when the going gets slow
that your faith in yourself
will continue to grow.
Don't forfeit ambition
when others may doubt.
It's your life to live-
you must live it throughout!
Learn from your errors -
don't dwell in the past.
Never withdraw
from a world that is vast.
Believe in yourself;
Find the best that is you.
Let your spirit prevail;
Steer a course that is true.
- Bruce B. Wilmer
Pretty insightful, even to me.
Let go /// 4:35 PM
On the verge of giving up.
