Juhn Tae

2011 Favourite Thing

2012-01-13T07:47:00.000-08:00

I'm not much of a shopper, 65% of my stuffs were gifts from people.
But when I buy something, I really like it!

Sometimes we get so caught up with coveting the next new thing that we forget to enjoy what we already bought.

So here's me looking back on my favorite buy of 2011!


iPod Classic

This goes everywhere that I can possibly bring it along.
I knew I needed to listen more. We are what we read, listen, watch.

The most popular mp3 player from Apple is probably the iPod touch but I decided on this because I want to be able to bring out all my music and podcasts.

The iPod classic has 160GB of space, that means 40,000 songs. (this sounds like a commercial)

I didn't want the ipod touch cause all those apps would be so distracting. The classic is a no-frills music player and I can bring my entire music collection everywhere I go.

Since I got this, I've been exposed to a wider range of music, and there's the beauty of all the podcasts that's available with me wherever I go.

I've over a hundred podcasts of great teachers like Pst Kong, Dr Ar. Bernard, Pst Phil Pringle, Derek Prince etc.

I also listen to TEDTalks a lot more, keeps me exposed to the great minds of our generation.

Having so much on-the-go has taught me the importance of having patient ears. In the excitement to listen to everything as fast as I can, I need to remind myself that listening is an art, and art cannot be rushed through to be truly enjoyed.

I really love my ipod Classic!

So, what was your favorite buy of 2011?
Feel free to share in the comment section below! :)

You Have Me

2012-01-07T07:59:00.000-08:00

I might not find,
the strength of superman
to swoop in and save the day,
the magnificent talent to solve all the problems,

the bottomless vast resources to meet all the needs,
but the greatest gift I can give you is the comforting presence that speaks,
"You have me"

I feel like I'm just getting started

2011-12-31T08:56:00.000-08:00

For every new journey we embark, we always want to be fully ready don't we?
We check, fret and sweat over our checklist just to make sure we have all that we need.

All packed and good to go!

"All packed and good to go!"
New journeys, new beginnings...

New years always offers new hope.

Hands outstretched.
Expectant hearts.
The world is big and open and the possibilities are endless.

But we don't always end the year getting what we set out to.
Instead of a triumphant proclamation of "We made it!"
We whisper a grateful "We...made...it..."

At the beginning of 2012.
What if you find in your hands only the insignificant, the unwanted, the neglected?
What if your luggage is empty because you don't have anything 'useful' or sufficient to fill it with?
What if you find yourself clutching only dirt and dust for this new journey ahead?

It is apt to be reminded of the beginning of man...

God fashioned us out the the dirt and the dust.

God makes Beautiful things out of dust.

God makes Beautiful things of us.

Whatever you find in your hands for this journey everyone is calling "2012"

May you not despise what you have, but find beauty even amidst the chaos.

Happy New Year my dear friends!

PS. This post reminds me of an old post I did 2 years ago...
http://juhntae.blogspot.com/2010/01/d.html

Having Done all, Stand

2011-10-16T08:28:00.000-07:00

If we don't stand for something
We'll fall for anything

What are you fighting for?

Find Me

2011-10-15T08:49:00.000-07:00

Find me in the river
Find me on my knees
I've walked against the waters
Now I'm waiting if you please

We've longed to see the roses
But never felt the thorns
And bought our pretty crowns
But never paid the price

We didn't count on suffering
We didn't count on pain
But if the blessing's in the valley
Then in the river I will wait

Find me in the river
Find me in there
Find me on my knees
With my soul laid bare
Even if you're gone
And I'm cracked and dry

Find me in the river,
I'm waiting for You.

This is a song that kept me going through my first 4 months in the military.
I hope if finds you well too!

He is not here

2011-04-23T07:47:00.000-07:00

Have you ever screwed up so badly, or be let down to the extent that you know there is no possibility of salvaging the situation?

Do you know what it's like to feel hopeless?

You do.

How would you describe that Hopelessness?

I would say that it is like a tomb.

Tombs speak of death.

That's what hopelessness is to me.

When you lose your hope, you are as good as dead.
A person without hope, dies a little on the inside each day.
With each passing day of refusing to believe and trust, we're essentially building a tomb in our hearts.
Things happen in our life, that cause us to start building and laying the foundations of the tombs.

Some of our tombs have been started in the forms of report cards

Some is in the form of failed relationships and broken families

If I would ask you a question today,
"What is there to see in buried tombs and coffins?"

We'd probably expect only the staleness of death, and a whole lot of decay.

Some of us have gone through failures and devastations.
And people have been so sure of what they would see when they peeked into our "tombs"

"There's that failure. He couldn't make it!"
"There's that girl from the broken family, she'll never recover from it."
"There's that family stuck in poverty, they will be stuck in that vicious cycle forever."
"There's the guy who gave up his dreams for a 'noble cause', look where he is now, ha!"

We all have our tombs, don't we?
In most cases, our failures could have been made plain for all to see.
The pain of death is, absolute.

It is so absolute.
Death means death.
No return.
Finito.

But one of the most beautiful and uplifting words ever spoken in the history of mankind were this...
"He is not here, for He is risen!"

What is this entire story of Easter all about?
To me, it's about the emptying of tombs.
And instead of a fearful realization,

there is an epic overwhelming surprising sense of hope.

"He is not here, for He is risen!"

I really do believe, that if you take up Love's offer today,
You will not see death, or meet a dead end.
But you will find your tombs empty,

with huge boulders moved out of the way.

Like we've been singing,
It's a new day

Maybe it's time some of us got started on taking our first few steps, out of our tombs.

Out of that darkness, into the light.
Out of that death, into new life.

Happy Easter everyone :)

Built

2011-04-11T16:55:00.000-07:00

It's been a long time since the last post.
(but not that long since some of the trailers I posted, are not even showing in the cinemas yet :p)

Most of you whom I know personally, you probably know that I am enrolled in the School of Theology (Life-changing!) now.

One of the great things that has been going on is the wider perspective on my life, and to be able to see what needs to be improved. It is always empowering when people step into your life, or words are spoken, that tell you that better things are ahead and you will get stronger.

It is uplifting!

But there is always a downside to things.

To know how good things can be in the future, can create tension in the now.

It can get frustrating, to be "here" not be "there" yet.

Or rather, we start to doubt and think,
"Can I even get there?"

It's hard to travel through Singapore and not see construction going on.

In fact, it is difficult to travel anywhere in the world that has people, and not see building going on.

There are towering sky scrapers and humble huts, but they all have to undergo the process of building.

The process of building is steeped deep in the nature of humanity. I am pretty sure we inherited this from the One whose image we were made in.

There is work to be done on every single human being that has and ever will grace the face of this Earth.

There is a blueprint of how your life will be built.
There is an Architect who has a vision of how your life will turn out.

There is a time to build
There is a time to undergo renovation
There is a time to tear down and enter major overhaul

Perhaps it is time we stop being frustrated, when we feel like a little hut, placed amongst tall sky scrapers.
Or be patient, when the process of building seems delayed.

I remember the construction of RWS in Singapore, it seemed like it was taking forever.
But it was completed before we knew it!

The process of building can seem like it is taking very long
But before you know it, your life will be built, and it will be magnificent.

Phil 1:6
He who begun a good work in you, will be faithful and just to complete it

For your entertainment

2011-01-09T08:54:00.000-08:00

Happy new year readers,

It's been awhile since my last movie trailer post, and I know most of those movies have not been released either.

But there is an awesome load of movies coming out this year and I can't wait!

Limitless

About time someone made a movie about imagining being a human without any limits in their capacity to think.

Waiting for Forever

Looks like a movie that girls might like but I might give this show a try because it's done by the directors of "Walk the Line".( a really great movie about Johnny and June Cash)

Your Highness

The kind of movie you watch just to laugh. James Franco is in it, I think he's really cool.

Fast Five

The fifth movie in the Fast & Furious Franchise. Everyone is back in ONE movie and the Rock is in it. Vrrrrroooom!

Pirates of the Caribbean : On Stranger Tides

Not something that I am particularly looking forward too. But a lot of people loved the Pirates franchise so I'll put it up here for you guys.

127 Hours

I am really looking forward to this one! Its based on a true story about a guy who got stuck in the wild. Heard that this movie will really change the way you see life. It's directed by the guy who did "Slumdog Millionaire" and starring the very cool James Franco. Already showing in USA and people are raving. This is a MUST WATCH for me!

The Tree of Life

I don't really know what this movie is about...But it's directed by this guy who is famous for being extremely detailed and meticulous in his films. Trailers shows that it's going to be a very artsy show. Sean Penn is in this!

The Green Hornet

We don't have to wait long for this one! I am looking forward to seeing Jay Chou speak English :)

That's all for now!

Hope you enjoyed watching those as much :)

Batman

2010-12-18T09:08:00.000-08:00

About 4 months ago, I heard an interesting interview of a philosopher by the name of Peter Rollins.

The philosopher was talking about... Batman.

Batman is this crime fighter who goes about fighting criminals at night. He is the fearsome protector of Gotham City. He has extremely high tech equipment to assist him in his fight against crime.

Where does this money come from?

In the day, Batman is actually Bruce Wayne.

Bruce Wayne is a billionaire who has plenty of cash to spend.

Bruce Wayne is the owner of a multi million dollar company.

No one notices Bruce Wayne siphoning huge sums money out to fund his crime fighting activities. The company is apparently so rich that no one notices the missing cash.

So this is what Bruce Wayne does,

he attends meetings in the day, as Billionaire CEO.

And he fights crimes at night, as fearsome Batman.

Bruce Wayne probably gets a great sense of purpose from his nightly crime fighting activities, whilst he sleeps through meetings in the day.

Now think about this,

instead of using all that money to fund his high tech arsenal of weapons against the bad guys...

Bruce Wayne could take that money...

To clean up the streets of Gotham

Use the money to improve the education system

If he did that, Crime rate could probably drop significantly.

Gotham City would actually become a better and safer place...

BUT NO!

Bruce Wayne has to go out in his suit at night to beat up the bad guys.

He does it because he thinks it's the most important thing.

But we all know Batman is missing the point...

What about us?

Maybe your prayer meetings on weekends is like beating up the bad guys at night.

But during the day, at your marketplace, you slip through it, never taking it seriously.

Sometimes, we think that what we are doing is the most important thing.

But perhaps it would help to take a step back, and review our lives honestly.

And ensure that we have not been living life like Mr Wayne.

Season

2010-11-14T09:04:00.000-08:00

I've seen people live life cluelessly, never aware of what they could be doing. Things could be dead around them, but they sincerely believe it's all flowers and roses.
"Everything's fine..."-They sincerely believe.
It's a time of patience and testing, not idyllic time-wasting.
Don't live in winter as if it's spring.

I've seen people sulk and being reclusive, when their life is bursting with heat.
"I don't understand why everything is screwed up... I think it's time I take a break..."
It's a time of fight, not flight!

Don't live in summer as if it's winter.

It's just so important to be able to recognize what season we are in.
To live life without retrospect, is to potentially miss out on the seasons, and what the Divine is doing in our lives.

Every evening sky, an invitation
To trace the patterned stars
And early in July, a celebration
For freedom that is ours
And I notice You
In children’s games
In those who watch them from the shade
Every drop of sun is full of fun and wonder
You are summer

And even when the trees have just surrendered
To the harvest time
Forfeiting their leaves in late September
And sending us inside
Still I notice You when change begins
And I am braced for colder winds
I will offer thanks for what has been and was to come
You are autumn

And everything in time and under heaven
Finally falls asleep
Wrapped in blankets white, all creation
Shivers underneath
And still I notice you
When branches crack
And in my breath on frosted glass
Even now in death, You open doors for life to enter
You are winter

And everything that’s new has bravely surfaced
Teaching us to breathe
What was frozen through is newly purposed
Turning all things green
So it is with You

And how You make me new
With every season’s change
And so it will be
As You are re-creating me
Summer, autumn, winter, spring

This is actually a beautiful song by Nicole Nordeman:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SqG50ynfdw

I'm in Love

2010-11-05T10:30:00.000-07:00

At the point of singlehood,

I felt that I was totally at peace with where I was.

Everything is in it's place.
I did not feel like something was missing from my life.
I feel that I don't have to be on this desperate search because I feel perfectly fine being independent.

Then, when we fall in love, everything spirals out of control.

There is this sense of... "I can't live without you".
You start referring to him as stuff like 'my everything', and it takes great heartache to contemplate a future without him.

How can I ever be apart from you?

That, sounds a lot like how I met the Divine.

Before I met God,

I felt that I was totally at peace with where I was.

Everything is in it's place.
I did not feel like something was missing from my life.
I feel that I don't have to be on this desperate search because I feel perfectly fine being independent.

Then, when we fall in Love, everything spirals out of control.

There is this sense of... "I can't live without you".
You start referring to Him as stuff like 'my everything', and it takes great heartache to contemplate a future without Him.

How can I ever be apart from You?

Hmmm, maybe it's time for you to fall in Love, again?

Leap of Faith

2010-10-31T10:22:00.000-07:00

In the victories that I stand tall in, You are gloriously there.
In the valleys that I'm on my knees, You are intimately there.

I've stopped asking "Where is God?"

Because I'm learning the more appropriate question is

"Where isn't He?"

Destined for the GREATER things

2010-10-28T11:14:00.000-07:00

We all have heroes in our lives. People that we look up to.

Their words and life amazes,inspires and captivates us.

This December, doesn't matter who your hero is.
It could be a historical figure like Martin Luther King whose achievements involve defeating racial discrimination for an entire country.
Or it could be your mother who raised you up with unflinching love and selflessness.

All our heroes have done great things in their lives, but the question I'm interested in is,

What

About

Us?

Who has God called you to be?

What will you do with your life?

You believe in your heroes, but do you believe in yourself?

Jesus,the greatest man that ever lived, left the future generations these words.

"Greater works YOU will do"

So this december,I'm proud to present to you YL youth zone's first ever island camp, where we will find out, what it really means, to be destined for greater things.

Personally, I'm excited for how things will unfold through this camp.
Am grateful for the awesome committee members!
All of them are under the age of 25.
Truly it's by the young, for the young!

If you are a youth, go add "YL icamp" in Facebook and be updated.
Bring yourself, bring your friends, we're going to have an entire island to ourselves, let's see what the Divine has in store for us this December!

The Art of Elimination

2010-10-18T08:43:00.000-07:00

Promised to share with you guys from Rob Bell's Drops like stars book.

It looks great on the surface, very artsy looking.
And when you read into it, not a lot of words, but it's actually got a lot of depth. It talks mainly about suffering, and what it creates in us. I recommend it for people who like designing and art but you'll be disappointed if you are looking for a content rich book.

Note:

But I always believe that words don't garner power in the multitude of numbers, but often the most impactful words are short and crisp.

For example,

I. Love. You.

Very potent words.

Ok.
Going to share a part of the book with you, but this will be the only post. Go purchase the book if you really want it :)

When you talk with people who have just received news that they have a life-threatening illness, what do they say?

"I better go get my favourite dress from TopShop!"

"It's finally time to create a twitted account and change my profile picture on Facebook."

"It's finally time to go get that job promotion!"

No, of course not.

They talk about family and friends.

They gather those they love as close as possible.

They reflect on any amends that need to be made with anybody.

They talk about what matters most.

Suffering does that.

It causes us to eliminate all the unnecessary, the trivial, the superficial.

It reveals what really matters.

This is a bar of soap.

But when handed over to sculptors...

Stunning isn't it?

And yet these sculptures was in that simple bar of soap the whole time.

All the sculptor really did was to remove.

Sculptors shape and form and rearrange, but at the most basic level they take away.

There is greatness inside of you.
Courage. Desire. Integrity. Virtue. Compassion. Dignity. Loyalty. Love.

It may not seem like it now.

But it's in there- somewhere.

And sometimes it takes suffering to get at it.

It's in there.

David Letterman (a famous talk show host in the States) had the musician Warren Zevon on his show soon after Zevon found out he had cancer.

Letterman asked him, "From your perspective, do you know something about life... that maybe I don't know?"

Warren Zevon answered,

"I KNOW HOW MUCH YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO ENJOY EVERY SANDWICH."

Sometimes, what happens to us when we suffer is that we become open to the mercy and grace and gratitude and joy that are always around us all the time, even in a sandwich.

Sort of like Cling Wrap

2010-10-15T11:20:00.000-07:00

Just a quick post & question:
Have you ever used cling wrap?!

Sometimes I just feel like it is such a hassle.

There were countless times where I was so lazy and I just wanted to shove the food into the refrigerator.

But my return trip to the fridge isn't as pleasant, as the food had begun to rot.
I could try to cling wrap it, but by then it is too late!

Most of us have this approach to life.
We start praying only when things get so awful that we have no other choice but to pray.

But just like you should cover food in cling wrap before it decomposes,

Start covering your life in prayer today, even before the tough times appear.

Because prayer... is sort of like cling wrap.

Be Real

2010-10-10T11:02:00.000-07:00

Few days ago, I had a talk.

The person said to me:"I'm fine, I can handle this. God is with me. I'll move on."

I nodded in response. Sounded like the right words...

But a nagging question loomed in the back of my mind.

"what about the hurt that you feel and the pain that you've been through?"

I always felt this.
That people are more real to us.
When we are real.

I believe that's true with God.
God can't help us if we refuse to be real with how we feel.

When we abandon those neat and nice prayers,

even the words in the bible shed off those neatness and niceness you've come to expect.
And they become

So Real.

Time to be real with what you are feeling:

I feel beaten...

yet You have made me more than a conqueror.

I feel bound...
yet You are my deliverer.

I feel confused...
yet You are my counselor

I feel like a failure...
yet You made me an overcomer.

I feel fearful...
yet You did not give me a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and of a sound mind.

I feel friendless...
yet You stick closer than a brother.

I feel like I'm living in darkness...
yet You are a light unto my path, and a lamp unto my feet.

I feel lonely...
yet You promised never to leave nor forsake me.

I feel misjudged...
yet I'm accepted and approved by You.

I feel poor...
yet You supply to all my needs according to Your riches and glory.

I feel sick...
yet You are the one who heals all my disease.

I feel troubled...
yet You are my peace

I feel unclean...
yet You purify and refine my life.

I feel vulnerable...
yet You are my strength and strong tower.

I feel worthless...
yet You see me as a pearl of great price.

Be real with Him and He'll be real with you.

Verses Adapted from:
http://encouragingbiblequotes.com/versesifeela.html

Point of Difference

2010-09-30T10:27:00.000-07:00

Just because it's a good thing,

Doesn't mean it's a God thing.

But every God thing,

will reveal itself to be a good thing.

inspired by:
1 Cor 10:31

Drops Like Stars by Rob Bell

2010-09-29T09:23:00.000-07:00

I cannot remember the last time I was this excited about a book.

Been searching for this for the past 3 months!
Its not available in Singapore, but I managed to find it in a quiet little shop, for 1/4 the price!
It originally costs $34USD!
I got it at $25SGD (Thanks to the awesome bargaining of Amelia Phang)

front view

Side view

This is a sketch done by a guy who attended the live presentation of this book.
it's a summary of one of the chapters of the book.

This book talks about the link between suffering and creativity.

I LOVE IT :)

Movie buff

2010-09-24T10:38:00.000-07:00

I've been wanting to do this on my blog for a long time!

If you watch movies with me, you will find out that trailers are one of my favorite time of the show.

But here's another fact, 90% of the time I see a trailer in a cinema,

I've actually seen it before a few weeks ago.

I can actually identify the movie in the first 30 seconds of the trailer.
I know, I'm such a movie buff right :p.

So I thought, since I love trailers so much, I might as well share them with you guys.
If you love trailers, you are in for a treat!

More than half of the trailers I'd show you, have not hit the cinema yet in Singapore :)
I'd figure I'll do this in my spare time.

Just a note of caution, a good trailer does not equate to a good movie.

In future, you can check back at JuhnTae for the latest trailers just by clicking on the "trailers" tag.

"Hereafter"
A movie about a former psychic who can communicate with the dead.
This movie should be good on the basis that it is directed by Clint Eastwood.
Features a very realistic scene of the Tsunami disaster.

"Legend of the Guardians: The owls of Ga Hoole"

An epic trailer! I think this will be worth watching. Good show to bring the kids along too.

"Tangled"
A Disney movie covering another fairy tale. Rapunzal is featured in this film. Animated films like these tend to be pretty entertaining. The trailer should make you laugh :)

"Due Date"
This trailer is already out in cinemas, but not the version I'm showing. Love the 2 actors in this movie, can't wait for this to be out!

I bet at least one of the shows here piqued your interest ;)
Feel free to say which is your favorite in the comment section below.

Which is my fave?
All of them :P

Told you I'm a movie buff

3 Years

2010-09-24T00:09:00.001-07:00

Soule began as a project about 3 years ago and it has had it's fair share of mini successes along the way.

One of my personal dreams was to see Soule make it's first shoe drop ever!
It was one of the little things that I would be insistent about.

And it has come to pass that the first shoe drop ever for Soule would begin this Sunday with the team taking flight to China!

But due to unforeseen circumstances, I wouldn't be able to make the trip this time.

The team is sad that I won't be able to make the trip, but I'm sure they know that I am sad about it too.

I guess we all have these moments where something we have really been looking forward to does not come to pass.
Feels like I'm watching the boat leave, and you know you just aren't going to catch it.

But at the same time, I have things to be thankful for.
At least, the boat is actually leaving!
Whether I go or not, the kids will be getting the shoes, and that is what matters.

It's probably going to be another 3 years before I can think about going to do a shoe drop because of NS.

I hope that by then, this dream will still be in me and waiting for me!

Even so, if the dream could come true...
I never want to be a person who, in the chasing of his dream, lost who he really was.

The past 3 years haven't be so much about me developing the dream, but rather more of the dream shaping me to be a person with a greater vision, belief and it opened up a whole new view of compassion for the underprivileged.

I believe every time God sends us a dream, it is not just something for us to accomplish, but He is using it as a tool to shape and mould us too.
In His eyes, the dreamer holds more value than the dreams He gives.

I can lose the dream.
But I must never lose the dreamer in me.

And the Answer is You

2010-09-18T09:42:00.000-07:00

Don't just pray for the hungry, if you have what it takes to feed them.

Don't just pray for the hurting, if you are able heal them.

Don't just pray for the ignored, if you are able to give them your attention.

Don't just pray for the marginalized, if you are able to champion their cause.

Maybe sometimes, God doesn't answer prayers, because His answer is you.

Prayer is not trying to twist God's arm and to dictate a situation.
Prayer is finding out what the divine is doing, and responding to be a part of it.

Often the world is waiting for God's response, and God's response is within you.

Taken in Haiti by a friend, Melvin,
Who did not just pray, but took part in God's answer to the Haitians by travelling all the way there to be of help.

On Fire

2010-09-14T19:32:00.000-07:00

Two days ago, someone commented that he's seen people burn out because they do too much.

I believe in the danger of burning out.
There have been times where we run low on the will and low on love that giving becomes increasingly difficult.

I have seen people on the verge of burning out, and they stop all activities in life.
But the thing is, the flames don't come alive again, but they simmer and fickle out.

I feel that we burn out not because we do too much.
We burn out because we forgot to top up the fuel.

Feed your soul.
Share with your confidantes.

Spend time with your Beloved so you know where He is going.

Don't do everything.
Do what you are called to do.

When we feed our soul and spirit constantly,

it's like dousing yourself in fuel every day.

Keep Burning On!

I'll Think of You

2010-09-12T09:32:00.000-07:00

Hey there,

Before you embark on this new week,

before you take the plunge into the depths of demanding deadlines and necessary obligations,
before time slips away,

Take time tonight to find time with your Beloved,

tell Him how much you love Him.
What has been bothering you.
What your week is going to be like.

Ask Him what should you do to make things better.
What is He thinking about you.
What is He planning for you.
Ask Him to reveal and unravel His will through this week.

Remember to make mention of the people whom you love to Him.
And before you leave,

why don't you tell him again,
how much you love Him?

As we live in obedience and in harmony with God, what we do naturally will bring glory to God,

even when we're not trying to.

The ride on the swing is more enjoyable, when you stop kicking as hard off the ground as you can,

and rely on who's behind you to push you.

May you live this week in partnership with God,

and enjoy the view and the thrills as you swing to greater heights.
:)

Majority Wins

2010-09-10T10:19:00.000-07:00

At some point of life,

you will face some very lonesome battles.

But with God,

I form the majority.

There is no more turning back for me,
because there was no turning back for Him

Vlogging

2010-09-08T05:11:00.000-07:00

In my free time, I like to check out videos that made it to the top 10 most popular category on youtube.
There is always this channel that has it's videos getting into the top 10 but I never really liked it so I never checked it out.

Only until I found out the story behind the channel did it become compelling...

This father, who earns money from posting videos online on youtube, decided to start a video diary called "Shaytards".

Basically on the 29th year of his life, he decided to film his every day life and posted one video EVERY DAY.

It became such a hit and his entire family has become an internet sensation.
Now that is a very risky thing to do, to expose your private life to the entire world wide web.
But he keeps the videos in a positive upbeat mood and it's more of capturing the fun and warm memories of each day.

Some viewers criticizes how he raises his kids,

some literally watches their videos every day and are up to date with what happens in their life.

I find it fascinating that this is actually some one's profession, to broadcast your life every day!
Apparently from the videos they seem quite well to do and are well provided for via you tube.
That's pretty amazing...

The family consists of
Dad (shay carl)
Mum (mummy tard)
Son (Sontard)
Older daughter (princess tard)
Younger daughter (baby tard)

I am not a fan of them, but I do find them compelling...
This is the video that I watched, the day of arrival of their 4th kid.
It is such a private and precious moment.
Check it out below!

Adeline Laughing

2010-09-07T04:44:00.000-07:00

Hey peeps,

Long time no post!

Promise to post again after my exams ( which end tomorrow!)

Till then...

My sister Adeline laughing.
I don't know why but she always laughs when I call my mum in front of her.
She is so much fun :)

Look inside the eye of your mind

2010-07-24T12:17:00.000-07:00

Was chatting with Caroline over lunch the other day and she said this,
"If you wear BLACK sunglasses, everything you see will be BLACK!"

A lot of things in life really pivots on your perception.
How do you see things?
What we see is what we'll get...

Having the right perception is not about having a positive outlook so mighty that it can diminish a problem.
In fact, no matter how positive you can be, you can't dictate the situation.
but what perception can do, is to dictate how you react to the situation.

Such is the power of the mind!

PS.
Dr Yonggi Cho highly recommends viewing the world through 4D glasses for the ultimate viewing pleasure of your world

What Were you thinking?

2010-07-21T13:05:00.000-07:00

I love thinking.

Thinking is like breathing to me.

I inhale, and I exhale.

Whatever I inhale, affects me on the inside.
How I exhale, reflects the health of my mind.

Sometimes we exhale in a sigh.
Sometimes, that sigh, is clothed with desperation and helplessness.
And our next breath inhales all that we just let out, and we dwell on it again and again.

Take time today, to breathe in deep, of good thoughts.
Try to take a deep breath of Fresh thoughts.
Thoughts that don't come very naturally sometimes.

Think about the things you have to thank for.
Think about the people who love you.
Think about the possibility, that your ordeal will be over soon and you will be stronger.
Think about the truth that there is Someone who will always be there for you.

And when you exhale, you'll notice the difference.

Phil 4:8
Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—

the best,
not the worst;

the beautiful,
not the ugly;

things to praise,
not things to curse.

May you breathe well today,
Keep Believing :)

Shingle-la-la

2010-07-13T09:08:00.000-07:00

Hey there,

Remember the muscle aches I've been complaining about?
By now you should know that I'm diagnosed with Shingles!

Some people are wondering..."What are Shingles?"

"Shingles is a medical condition derived by being single. Symptoms include the awful depressing feeling of wishing there was somebody's hands to hold, or an urge to utter sweet nothings to that special someone. To counter the effects of this illness, please watch the Twilight series."

Ok, the real meaning of Shingles:

It's medically known as Herpes zoster.
Yes, "herpes", imagine my shock when I tried to ask google what was I suffering from.
Turns out google was right, and Herpes zoster is very different from the Herpes that most people know about :p.

Wikipedia:"Herpes zoster (or simply zoster), commonly known as shingles and also known as zona, is a viral disease characterized by a painful skin rash with blisters in a limited area on one side of the body, often in a stripe. The initial infection with varicella zoster virus (VZV) causes the acute (short-lived) illness chickenpox which generally occurs in children and young people. Once an episode of chickenpox has resolved, the virus is not eliminated from the body but can go on to cause shingles—an illness with very different symptoms—often many years after the initial infection."

In a nutshell, it's like chicken pox, but only one area of the body is infected.Turns out I came into contact with someone with chicken pox the past 2 weeks and my immune system was having a holiday at the wrong time...so BAM! I'm Shingle.

I'm pretty fortunate though, I don't feel any itchiness or severe pain as most people suffering from Herpes do. Downside is that I have to take medication ever 4 hours and apply a cream unto affected area. Which means I got to wake at 4am later...

The infection patch is very irksome looking, but googling for images turns out that most people have it worst. Mine just looks like a whole community of mosquitos sucked my blood at the same area at the same time. I suggest you don't google shingles as some images are pretty nasty looking. But because some curious cats will still look for images...

mine looks like this, but on my back.
Google has grosser pictures online;p

I'm going to rest now, thank you all for the concern shown on FB and smses. You guys make it easier:)

Before I leave, remember Twilight?
There's a movie out soon about it.
Check out the trailer here for some good laughs :)

Here Comes the Cash ;)

2010-07-11T10:57:00.000-07:00

Ryan Pang's over now catching the World cup final with me!

A lot of things to rush out this week, and I'm feeling the stretch...
You know how when the stress piles up, you aren't always in the best of moods.

But I am believing for a great week!
A positive thought life will lead to a positive week.
As a man thinks, so is he!

PS.
Can't decide if the ribs hurt are muscle aches or my lungs old injury acting up.
Might go for an x-ray tmr to make sure things are ok.

Prophetic

2010-07-08T22:02:00.000-07:00

Remember how my previous post was titled "Here comes the Pain"?

Well, I hurt my rib cage while tossing and turning in bed last night,(had a very hard time sleeping.)

Owwww.
It's a little sore and I'm moving a little slower today.

So as it was spoken forth, the pain indeed came.

Title of my next post:
Here come's the CASH ;)

Here Comes the Pain

2010-07-06T02:45:00.000-07:00

When my life took a great turn at the age of 9, I often broke down when I was alone.

I remember the nights:
I would wake up crying
Clutching hard at the pillow

Teeth Grinding

the Sniffs & the sobs

I remember the Pain

I'm sure you've had your fair share of pain.
Some go through a lot of pain, some go through less.
But every one knows pain.

Few nights ago I had dinner with someone and I talked about the pain I went through.
At that moment we connected, because he went through the same things.

I read the bible of how it mentions that the angels collects our tears.
God takes note of the suffering we go through.
And He never wastes them.

I never liked talking about my past, especially the pain.
But each time I shared it with another who is going through the same things, I liberate.

You are never allowed to go through pain for nothing, as long as you keep your eyes on the prize.

It is through pain, that we often discover life's greatest gifts.

Kind of like...

A mother going through intense labor to bring into the world the gift of life.
A savior going through crucifixion to bring about the gift of eternal life.

May you learn to deal with the pains that life has dealt you with,

May you receive the lessons that pain has taught you,

and may you remember, that not a single ounce of pain you go through will be wasted when you decide to release it, it will change another person's life.

Sara

2010-06-03T08:43:00.000-07:00

In a few hours time, she will be flying to Canada to further her studies for 2 years.
I am going to miss her so much!! But I'm happy for her, it's a new chapter:)

Her family has been such a blessing and support to mine over the years and it was through their family that gave me the hope to believe in true kinship. Every time I get invited over for dinner or to stay at their house (and I do manage to come), it is always a blissful experience because they really make me feel like I'm a part of the family.

Although we don't meet up much at all, the relationship is always strong and familiar. I always feel very comfortable being around her. Many people have commended that I am a very good natured person, but I think it really attributes to my childhood growing up with Sara. She's always so kind and nice! Amazing thing is, she is still the same person I know even after encountering young adulthood! Till today, I have still not met any other girls as sweet and kind as her!

I will always remember listening to her play the beautiful melodies on the piano and how she is always such a good elder sister to Shawn & Shannon.

Dearest Sara,

I just want to say that I'm very proud of you and I have absolute faith that you will make the most of the 2 years you will have over there. Be brave to venture out and also be very true to yourself!

Please remember to keep in touch with your family alright!
And if any guy asks for your contact, give him mine first ok? Serious! :p
Will be praying for you, drop me an sms whenever you're back in SG.

I love you alot Cousin,
Kor Kor John

Loyalty

2010-05-31T10:27:00.000-07:00

Had an awesome 5 days at Asia Conference!

One of the greatest moments was to see my mentor and friend, Yah Lan being ordained as a pastor by Dr. Cho.

I'm one of her youngest leaders and may not have had the privilege to walk alongside her as long as the other leaders, but there have been many moments that I will never forget.

When I was at one of my lowest points of my life, she was heavily pregnant with Ann-Ya but she came down all the way to meet me. When I should have been the one apologizing to her for the hurt I caused her, she did the apologizing instead, with tears in her eyes.

I will never forget that moment because it was the first time that I ever saw a leader being vulnerable.

The leader always makes the first move.
The leader always conquers.
The leader always rises to the occasion.
The leader does not bow down to fear.
The leader always has it all together.

But that day, in the light of my leader's vulnerability, I saw and understood one truth.

A leader is always placed in the most vulnerable position possible.

Seeing my leader's vulnerability only deepened my respect for her.
Because of that display of vulnerability and honesty that day, it caused a turning point in my life.
From a youth that was slipping into depression, today I am able to inspire other youths to make a difference with their lives.

It is extremely easy to follow a leader who has it all together, with no weakness showing.
But can you follow and stand with your leader when they are vulnerable?

You have probably read about my church, City Harvest, being investigated by now.
When I received the news, I wasn't shocked.

But being the critical person I am, I imagined the worst case scenario, and asked myself what I would do if that happened...

Took me about a second and I concluded:

I can stand with my leadership when they are at their lowest points, because they stood with me when I was at my lowest.

This is family that stood by me even when I screwed up.
This is family that did not turn face on me even when I was sure they would.
This is family that prayed for me even when I did not deserve it.

I am actually glad that this investigation is underway, as it can ultimately put to rest all the false allegations. I am praying for a quick resolve and for truth to prevail.

When this whole saga is over, good or bad outcome, City Harvest will still mean one thing to me.
It's my Home Sweet Home :)

Labels

2010-05-17T08:53:00.000-07:00

Today I stumbled upon the power of Labels!

I've come to the point of noticing that my blog can be rather confusing at times.

Some people visit here to know more about me.
Yes, I'd like to believe there are people would rather read about me than some famous person like Barack Obama or Justine Lee.
Also there are those Facebook investigators who are trying to pry into my private life. I have done the courteous act of making it more accessible and readable to you strangers.

Some people visit here to check up on me.
Family and close friends who want to make sure I'm doing life right, fret no more! ;p

Some people visit here to get inspired.
I've had the very humbling experience of being able to inspire some through my writings here. I just want you to know that most of the things that I share is not my own. Keep in mind that I read and listen, a lot. My main influences are Jesus, Preachers, Yah Lan, Caroline and people like you. I believe every good and powerful truth has already been around in a certain leather backed book, all I'm doing here is re-presenting the good stuff you've been missing out on.

Whatever output I have here, do realize it's only because Someone left me some inputs:)

Some people visit here because they got bored of Facebook.
Well... When you are bored on the internet, you should turn it off...
But we both know you will just go back to Facebook after this:P

Often when you visit here, you kind of get a mix of everything.
So I have done the noble act of streamlining all the content on Juhntae.

You can now read the stuffs you want and ignore the stuffs that you don't give a fly about.
Simply click on the labels below each posts to view similar content!

Do note some of the labels I'm explaining to you have zero posts under them, but I have the intention to post things that will fit into those categories. JuhnTae is still young, only 40 over posts. Be patient!

Labels (with description):

My Musings-
Little snippets of my deep thoughts.

My Memories in Pixels-
Picture Posts!

I talk too much-
These are posts where I, well, talk too much. I ramble about my day or anything. These are the posts to avoid if you have important things to do like save that cat you saw stuck on the tree. You won't miss a thing if you ignore these posts.

I recommend these-
Where I will introduce good things to you. Like what movies are good to watch, what food is good to eat, or even what air is good to breathe.(I recommend oxygen!)

Dear You...-
Where I will specially feature special people. Watch this space because you might have a post dedicated to you!

A little Perspective-
All the posts that are filled with content that inspired me and I know will inspire you too. May you be transformed by the renewing of your mind!

Don't know where to put this-
Posts where I simply don't know where to put. Hey, you always got to make space for the mis-fits right!

So that's all! I know it actually doesn't have much of an impact, but when the content here grows, I know some people will appreciate labels.
Or maybe you won't.

Too late, done the labeling already. No regrets, no regrets, no regrets!

Thank you for reading up on my life, I wished I can read more on you!(you can always leave your blog link in the comment page below)

Take care!
Grace & Mercy be with you:)

Worship

2010-05-15T10:58:00.000-07:00

When You look past the beautiful melody
When You look past the sweet words

When You look past the outward posture

When You look past my strengths, weaknesses, victories and defeats...

May You find,
a heart that lives for You,
a heart that You call home,

a heart that belongs to no one else besides You.
and may you find...
a heart, even if broken, still beating stubbornly for You.

Open up to Find

2010-05-13T11:28:00.000-07:00

Hey guys, how's the week?

I had a great Thursday, do you know that I have no school on Thursdays?!
I always spend the first part of all my Thursdays behaving like a sponge.
I listen, read, watch, ask. Alot.
(My record was listening to 5 sermons in one day, not advisable)

And then I spend the 2nd half going to Woodlands and I'd squeeze myself dry on those who have an ear to hear.

I then spend the rest of it coming home, and I unwind.
And I facebook.
And I blog.
And I eat.
And I drink.
And I chat on the phone.
And I listen.
And I watch funny videos on youtube.

And then I remember there's school the next day. (Bummer!)

So it's off to bed.
I hope you are not disappointed that there is no "inspirational" post for you to read this time :)
You really ought to know I'm just your average bloke who's having a great time sharing the stuffs that inspire him.

You have a great weekend!

No one likes to be lonely

2010-05-12T10:24:00.000-07:00

Sometimes, loneliness can be painful.
But the wrong relationship can hurt a lot more.

I am not afraid of pain, I just don't believe in jumping for the sake of jumping.
I believe good things come to those who wait, and good things will be worth the pain.

1.52

2010-05-10T10:52:00.000-07:00

Some people have recently commented that life's been looking beautiful/colorful for me...

And I... agree.

I feel that a lot of perspective is a lot more clearer,

the friendships that are growing now seems to be for the right season,

I am not crippled by criticism (in fact, criticism of late have been a great source of genuine humor for me)
None of the days I wake up now feels like a dread. There is a sincere longing to go through each day and to encounter the thoughts and events that will shape me.

I always thought I'd feel this way only when I've successfully dealt with all my weaknesses.

But can I confide in you,

that I feel there is a heightened awareness of my weaknesses now.
I carry the same burdens, that haven't really become lighter.
I am still uncomfortable being around people.
I often worry about the same ol' things.
I miss some people who won't be coming back in the near future.

These are where I really find the beauty in my life.
Not the newspaper articles that I appear in,
not the praises and adoration of people,

or even approval of people important in my life...

My awareness of my weaknesses have increased, but my awareness of my God's strength is so much greater too.
I have learned to be "comfortable with my discomfort" for being around social circles. (best way I can put it into words)
I worry about the same old things, carry the same burdens, but I've learnt not to focus on them, but rather be contented and grateful for the other blessings that follow me.

I can't really tell you what caused the change,

but I believe that this is true liberty.

What is liberty to you?

To some it is doing anything they want at anytime.

To some it is the absence of responsibility.

I'm not sure what is your perspective of freedom and liberty.

To me,

Liberty screams, "Today, I am enough!"

even if you feel nervous around people.
even if you don't have enough.

even if you are wounded.

even if you are not THERE yet.

Today, you are enough :)

Life is a ride you have to go through.
Only 2 ways to do it.
Endure or Enjoy.
Might as well be the latter.

By the way! I am embarking on a second business venture which I am thoroughly excited about.
Can't wait to tell you more about what I'll be doing next.
This venture excites me cause I am going to be working with incredibly creative and people of great character. Besides the prospect of earning money, I am excited to gain from interacting with these people.

Going to bed soon, it's been a long day.
2 hr phone calls,
2 hr face to face discussion,

2 hr of working on accounting templates,

2 hr of... eating Fromage fried macaroni & cheese, and eating one whole crab for supper.
Woohoo!
Life's good. I am so going to run straight into a brick wall when my metabolism rate slows down.

Have a great week!

Break, all the hearts hit the floor

2010-05-05T10:24:00.000-07:00

Often it's the people whom are the closest to us that break our hearts the most, isn't it?
Irregardless of it being intentional or not.

When someone breaks your heart, there is the question, should you have allowed this person that much control over your heart. Was that person worth it?
Sometime's it's an indication that we shouldn't hold some people too close.

If you ask me, who are the people, that I really really trust with my heart?
Who are the ones who are "worth it"?

Often, its the people whom still choose to draw near, despite me breaking their hearts.
I think it's fine, to be there for a person even when he breaks your heart, because he was still here when you broke his.

My Place in this World

2010-04-28T09:05:00.001-07:00

This sunday, the Soule team is going to the only orphanage in Johor Bahru to hold the first ever Soule Football tournament for the children.

They love soccer but are only allowed a few minutes of kick abouts a day.
They play in their old clothes which they have been wearing for a long time.
They score goals, but have no one to celebrate it with.

But things will change this Sunday.

The kids will be playing their favorite sport for 90 mins,
donned in jerseys bearing the famous 3 stripes of Addidas,
kicking brand new soccer balls into their refurbished goal posts,
cheered on by a crowd of loving and supporting people.
When the day ends, they will receive medals sponsored by a kind friend of ours, Gershon Liew.

Great Kudos to Justine and the SEC (Student Entrepreneurship Club) of Ngee Ann for pulling together all the sponsors and manpower! Justine worked tirelessly to get the whole event together.

I can't wait for Soule new products to launch so that we can do more of such things!

This football tournament is great, but what is really in my heart is China.

I've never been to China, but I know this year I will go there.
be it for the World Expo or for the trip to one of Sun's School.
Please pray and believe with me that nothing will hold that back from happening!

We are all on a search for a place to really fit in, and to find our destiny.
"Is there a place in this world for me?" is a common deep-in-ponder kind of question isn't it?

But to that particular question the world replies,
"is there a place in your heart for me?"

There are a few places in my heart,
1. Any place that my family is in
2. China
3. Woodlands

And I believe these 3 places will be a big part of my adult life and hopefully forever and after :)

Angels & Animals

2010-04-20T10:17:00.000-07:00

*this is a M18 post that you should read.

Right From birth, we are taught Good from Bad.
This belief is deeply rooted in us.

We all grow up trying to be Good, because, well, "being Good is good and being Bad is bad''.
Somewhere along the way, something will happen, and we start doubting our ability and will to be good.

It really is impossible to be ALL good.
Should we keep trying to be good? "Because we always have to try our best right?"
or Should we stop trying? "Because we will fail eventually"

My generation is growing up in a culture of apathy and "freedom".
We pretend we do not see someone hurting, and we are "free to do whatever I want".
In this climate of culture, we see higher and higher levels of addictions and wild abandon in people.

When I was in primary school, we went through sex education that encouraged Abstinence (Having sex only after marriage). But as I progressed into secondary school, now they are encouraging Safe Sex. And now this is being taught in most sex education programs.

People have lost faith in whether the new generation can abstain themselves.
Some people think Abstinence is a joke.

It's a "if you can't stop them, teach them to do it safely" approach.
"Why resist now, when you will only end up giving in later?"
Really, when you think about it, this change of direction in the teaching of Sex education really is an indication of hopelessness.

There is a sense that we cannot control our urges.

When I was young, and I went to the zoo, I saw 2 baboons approach each other. It was the mating season.
When the baboons mate, the last thing they will be asking is,
"Before we go any further, I would like to know how committed you are to this relationship"
"Can we first be friends before we...you know, 'do it' ?"
"Will you take full responsibility of me and the baby after this?"

An animal, mates, because it was programmed to mate.

Go to the clubbing scene and you hear phrases from the promiscuous like,
"She's a party animal"
"He's a tiger"
"She attacked me"

Definitely we are similar to an animal, in terms of physical urges.
But are we animals?

Many who engage in addictions often experience intense feelings of emptiness and loneliness from time to time.

Living like an animal, will not make us satisfied.

We study hard, we work hard, because deep in our bones, we sense that we have a purpose, a destiny. We must work towards achieving something in life.
When you feel that you are not achieving anything, it feels terrible!

Do animals have a higher perspective like us?
When your dog is looking out of the window, he's not pondering, "I wonder where my future is heading..."
He is really just looking out the window.
An animal works on instinct. It answers every urge. It does not resist urge.
When we answer every urge, just on the basis of "I feel like it", we really are behaving like...animals.

That is Hugh Hefner. Founder of the Playboy Empire. He lives in the playboy mansion and at one point had 7 girlfriends living in with him. When he was younger, he was brought up in a very strict family. Both his parents were teacher and they always taught him that the only purpose of physical affection was for procreation.

There was absolutely no physical intimacy in Hefner's young adolescent life. No hugs and no kisses from mum & dad.
They tried to raise Hefner as an Angel.

What went wrong?

Angels were created before Man. And angels don't have a body.
They are just spirit.

When we do good, we are likened to angels.
It feels good to be called an angel.
Angels have enjoyed beautiful depictions and glorious descriptions.

Angels carry out the higher purposes.

But we were never made to be angels were we?

When a person tries to live the life of an angel, he or she cannot tolerate imperfection.
People who live like angels will set many rules and boundaries that we cannot overstep.

That's why in today's culture, there are multitudes of religions that try to define what you can or cannot do.
What you can eat or cannot eat.
Where you can go or cannot go.
Some recognize the danger of physical intimacy, and ban all their followers from marriage.

All these people had the very noble intention of protecting each other. Whatever that is murky and undefined, just resist it and stay away from it. "Better play it safe!"

But the confusing fact is, most people with addictions and sexual perversions grew up in families with strict and conservative rules. Why is that so? Aren't the well protected supposed to have the best outcomes?

You should know what it's like to try to be an angel...
It feels impossible!
Thats why many people prefer living life with wild abandon.

What went wrong with Hefner, was not him, but his parents.
They tried to raise him up as an angel when Hefner was born a man.

He did not have an answer for physical affection and how to deal with it.

Today he is surrounded with women, but gone through 3 divorces.
He's built up an empire in his quest for physical affection and has countless property but

he's left with no love to his name.

As human beings, we are soul, body and spirit.
You cannot ignore the urges in your physical being, neither can you ignore your spirit.

We live life in this tension.
The tension between an animal, and a angel.

If you have been secretly feeling condemned because of the physical urges you experience.
You have to talk to somebody about this.
You cannot keep mum and continue trying to be like an angel.

If you have been secretly feeling empty about your destiny,

you have to talk to somebody about this.
You cannot give up and start living like an animal.

Seek and you will find.
If you really want your answer, then SEARCH for it.
Don't veer off to either extremes.

An alchoholic has forgotten how to taste the texture of wine and the vintage of it's grapes.
A food junkie has forgotten and lost the ability to taste the splendidness of the food. Their palate has gone numb.
Extremes never satisfy. Extremes will only numb you and imprison you.

I am embarking on my 5 day fast this week and now I'm 2 and a half days through.
What I like about fasting, is it reminds me that I don't have to be controlled by my physical urge.
It also reminds me that I HAVE a physical urge.
It reminds me that I'm neither animal, nor angel.
It reminds me that I am Human

and so are you

Like the King of Pop Sang "man in the mirror"

2010-04-07T12:42:00.000-07:00

"Can ONE man make a difference?

I believe so."

But the change must always begin within that man.

We talk about "the message is sacred but the method can be changed"

But for my God,

His message is unchanging, and so is His method.

I've only seen God use ONE method.

And that is...MAN.

He never used programmes or effects.

But it was always a faithful and obedient man.

"Are you that ONE person who will make THAT difference?"

Invade me.

Rearrange me.

Redefine me.

Storms Happen

2010-03-29T09:32:00.000-07:00

I always felt that life's peppered with a series of storms...
And I'm always at the receiving end of the "it never rains but it pours" mantra.

You know what it's like when storms hit you head on one after the other, don't you?

In the midst of storms, have you seen thoughts like these surfacing? :
I'm no good.

They're no good.

Is God aware that I'm sinking...fast?
I try to steady the ship, but I only make things worst.
Every one refuses to agree with me and nobody will understand me.

In the heart, emotions like loneliness, incompetence, depression and the likes reigns.

When the pressure mounts, and the situation delves into the realm of the chaotic...
Logic is distant and our will is often shaken.

I've been through my fair share of storms and its never easy for any of us.

The deal here is not to avoid storms, but the best way out is THROUGH.

I don't know about you, but when I go through storms, I badly wished life had a fast forward button.
"let me skip all these and go to the good parts, won't you?"
When we finally get through a storm, we are quick to chuck it into the far depths of our memory and not think about it again.

Its a haunting experience we rather not revisit...

I don't enjoy storms, but I believe when a person goes through a storm, he will either come out better, or beaten.

There is something about storms that will alter the way you think, and even expose the true nature of your heart.

Ultimately, the best thing I can garner from difficulties in life, is that storms will reveal true value of a person's life...

Consider this

A ship carries cargo because cargo carries a significant value.
Often, the cargo is the main reason why a ship sets sail, because people want to ship cargo to other places in the world for selling.
Cargo is of significant value.

But along the way, the ship encounters a storm...

As the waves beat vehemently against the boat, water begin to fill the ship on the inside.
As a result, the ship begins to sink.
Remember the cargo I mentioned earlier?
The cargo that represents significant value?

Well, no matter how much the cargo is worth, the crew would still throw the cargo overboard if it means saving their own lives...

Storms reveal the true value in our lives

In a storm, even valuable cargo will become worthless.
its like how we would only treasure a loved one more when they go through a stormy season in their health.
Because Storms reveal the true value in our lives.

Are you going through a storm now?

I hope you realize its less about avoiding these storms, but really realizing what is truly worth fighting for in your life.
There is a lesson within every storm.
And every storm you emerge from is only going to make you stronger.

Sometimes God needs to send us storms in order to wake us up to the true value of our lives.
In the midst of praying to be rescued from a storm, God might just send you a storm to rescue you :)

Getting Attached

2010-03-10T07:58:00.000-08:00

(I know this is super off topic from my current life's events but I think its very helpful information)

I often wonder, "What is the right age to get attached?"
You see teenagers getting into relationships that last a few days, weeks or months.
But then I have friends who've been together since primary school.

I've seen older friends than me who couldn't manage a relationship and it all fell out of hand too.

So what is the right age to get attached?

18?

21?

12?

Well, in the first place, that wasn't a good question to ask, as I found out while chatting with Carol in the car today.

A better one would be, "What is the right state to be in when getting attached?"

a) At peace with yourself
You should be at a place where you are not perfect, but yet you are comfortable with yourself.
If you cannot be comfortable with who you are, people can't be comfortable with you.
Do not jump into relationships just because you think being accepted will mean you can accept yourself better. You could find a very encouraging partner, but its going to sap the life out of him/her to always remind you who you are.

b) Life is at a stable stage
Its always great to have your knight in shining armor to appear in the midst of the greatest turmoil or have your beautiful princess comfort you when you're in the eye of the storm.
But thats the worst time!

In the midst of great success or great turmoil, your perception and emotions tend to be skewed.
You won't be able to make the right judgement easily.

c) No emotional baggage
"BUT BUT I NEED A SHOULDER TO CRY ON!!"

Yep, relationship is where you really share your thoughts and emotions.
A shoulder to cry on is available if someone loves you.
But a shoulder to EMO on is another thing altogether.

Emotional Baggage can really mess up the colors in a relationship.
U gotta deal with those baggages or the relationship will become very burdensome, especially after the "giddy in love" feeling is gone, thats when your emotional baggages will cause a lot of strain.

d) seek counsel regarding the person
In the multitude of counsel there is safety. Its good to have a mentor or leader who will look out for you and make sure you made the right choice.

Ask yourself if you have all this criteria...
If you can't answer clearly, then you have an idea whether its time or not to get attached.

Haha, thanks for reading. This is indeed a very weird post for me to type.
Namely cos I don't have much experience in this area.
But I found this really good information and wise counsel.
Hope it helps you who has hormones raging in the depths of your soul!

Thank you

2010-03-08T10:02:00.000-08:00

The coolest thing about winning wasn't just the recognition and actual cash...

Its the big cheque.( i know i know we are shallow, its not the size of the cheque but its the amount right...i know i know)

Too bad my room is too small to have it anywhere, so Justine will hang it on his wall.
Its ok Justine, just write me a small sized cheque with a big amount next time ;)

Haha. My next blog will be about our 3 years journey so far.
better document it.

Thanks for the congratulations, we are very humbled by the whole experience.

Dare to dream and work hard,

and God will dare to use you and work hard at changing you to accomplish it.

Day1 @ YSE( Young Social Entrepreneur )

2010-03-03T14:54:00.000-08:00

Hey all, its 6 in the morning at Fort Canning Lodge and we're entering day 2 of the program.
Feeling a little tired but looking forward to the week.
I'm sharing a room with Justine and Jing Ying is sharing with another participant from another team.

This is Dr Sarah.
She is one of the MOST charismatic people I have ever talked to.
Full of energy and passion.
Once she starts talking, everybody wants to sit down and listen.
She's successful but very down to earth.

One thing she talked about was how its very expensive for a poor person to live.
But its cheap for a rich person to live.

A poor person has to pay so much just to enjoy what the rich have.
For example, a bottle of shampoo.
They have to travel out of their villages, and buy one.
Thats additional expenses in terms of money(transport) and time.

For the rich,

we just go to the convenience store.

The poor will have to mortgage their whole house just to get a loan.
The rich?
They are offered freebies all the time by hotels and banks.

Funny how rich people stay in hotels for free by invitation.(even tho they can afford it)
But the poor are never offered that.

how true!

Anyway, the 3 of us are smitten with Dr Sarah.
She's like the only person after Justine I know to be able to talk SO much with So much passion.
And she talks A LOT.
If Justine and Dr Sarah sits down and talks.
I might get a glimpse of what eternity is like...

What we're involved in currently is like a program for young people who are really passionate about starting a business with a social cause. There's a lot of support in the community in our country now trying to elevate the status of Social Entrepreneurship so you can easily find a talk about it if you are resourceful or well connected. But the YSE (name of the programme we're in) is really the first of its kind, where they literally put 6 teams of young people in a boot camp, and they send mentors and established business people in the next 5 days, who will see what ideas are there in your head, or what business you already have in your hands, and teach you to make it better.

(good job... you read the entire paragraph...)

Instead of blabbering all about the day's activities, I just want to share some of the takeaways from the day.

Being in this environment for a day, and being surrounded with like-minded youths... I've realized something.

We're all idealists.

People with BIG ideas, BIG dreams and in some cases, BIG talk.

One of the speakers, Ambassador Ong (former secatary general of ASEAN) was saying, learn how to fail.
Work very hard, and then...BE PREPARED to fail.

Bleak words...

Many of our speakers are well known for investing heavily in youths to inspire them not to only set up businesses but business that can impact society.
They're investing time in this because they see the potential, if one youth is inspired and starts a business, and this business inspires future businesses, then the fulfill their social cause, the world would experience a positive change.

But Elim even admitted yesterday, that yes, there are going to be people who fail. ( but she is putting her faith in the fact that there will be enough success stories generated for society to take notice and follow through with the change)

People with BIG dreams with GREAT intentions are going to fail.
Ever felt this tension?

You had a very great intention, and you wanted to make a difference, and you failed?

Its easy to think, that just because we are good willed, then we will succeed.
I mean thats what we've been seeing in the movies right?
The good guys WILL win.

But in the world now, there are struggling charities, old abandoned churches/ temples/mosques, schools with high graduation rate, but students are graduating with papers in their hands, and no knowledge in their heads.

Good intentions are not enough, you really gotta work hard to make things happen.
At the end of the day, work hard and work smart... Usual cliche but its what our generation needs.

Imagine this,
A good samaritan wants to plant an apple seed in the backyard of an orphanage. GOOD intention.
A scrupulous business person plants an apple seed in the orchard to sell apples for his own benefit. Neutral intention.

Fact is,
BOTH of them are going to work as hard to plant, cultivate, and care, in order for that apple seed to grow into an apple tree.

The one with the good intention will ultimately make an impact, but not until he proves himself faithful by doing the same thing, any other person planting an apple seed.

We're a generation of Idealists.
Always thinking of the most inspiring dream at one point of our lives.
But we get disappointed and bitter in the face of failure.
We're often critical, because we think so greatly in our minds.
The powerful thing about us I believe is we DO have GREAT ideas.
But we got to couple that with the previous' generation's willingness to work hard for that dream.
And at the same time work smart and be connected to Wisdom!

Day 5 (IS COMING TO AN END)

2010-03-01T04:38:00.000-08:00

Day 5 of fasting. As you can see, I already have the tools to break fast first thing tomorrow morning!

Jagabee is one of my favorite snacks EVER. I got hooked after a family friend bought chips similar to Jagabee but made from Hokkaido potatoes for my mum. We tried it and I was so enchanted that I set out to search for it in Singapore. I realized Jagabee tastes almost as good and its the closest thing I could get.

You should try it... YUMMY!

(can i like break my fast now?lol)

Anyway, today has been fruitful.
Went to International Plaza with Justine for awhile to do some business registration stuffs.

Proceeded to Woodlands Mos Burger and met 10 people one-on-one from 2.30 all the way to 6.30pm.

Thats a personal record!!
10 ppl in 4 hrs straight.

I thoroughly enjoyed it though I was hungry and drained by the end of the day.
Just met my youths to go through their vision for the year.

Why do I want to invest my time in them?
(Besides the fact that they are absolutely LOVEABLE)
I also want to invest in them because someone invested in me when I was younger.

Its like a love revolution, if we all learn to receive, and then pass it onto somebody else.

Hope you enjoyed my day as much as I did!

PS.
Gotta go now cause my mum wants to watch the latest idol drama on Youtube.
(second guessing if I should have introduced her to the world of Youtube ;p)
Anyone watching 就想賴著妳?

its pretty good. Jerry Yen and Ella is starring in it.

But I prefer 海派甜心!
Its by Show Luo and Yang Chen Lin. Very good show!

Day 4

2010-02-28T10:09:00.000-08:00

Hey all,

Some pics today.

Me and my cousins, check out my toothless grin

....YEP...

Ok so I'm into my fourth day of fasting.
I'm going for 5 days this time.
My body feels so weak now, coupled with a few minor dizzy spells, and MAJOR craving for food, It has been totally worth it.
You really got to try it to really understand the power of fasting!
My past record was 2 full days.
I never thought I could go past 3 days.
Trust me, the temptation's GREAT.

Interestingly, today my aunt invited me over for a BIG feast which I had to turn down.
After which, my mum passes me money and goes "Here, go and try the lamb chop at the new western stall nearby, its great and its my treat!"

During tuition today, the kid's mum decided to serve me this plate of rice with a duck drumstick. Then a bowl of amazing seafood tom yam soup.

After a lengthy period of convulsion, I managed to politely decline the food and thank her for her hospitality.

Oh how come all these things never happens when you're not fasting?? :p

I'm going to break fast on tuesday and I'm so looking forward to lunch at Saizereya with Charinne for her birthday with some friends!

This pic was drawn by my tuition kid. He's a very clever kid.

My youth( those tiny dots) at this beautiful place right next to woodgrove secondary. Had such a great time there:)

Its going to be a very different week, Soule applied and was selected by SIF(Singapore International foundation) to be one of six pioneering teams in their first ever-held YSE(Young social Entrepreneur) program.

We'll be learning from and exchanging ideas with several like minded peers and interacting with business people who are already practicing social entrepreneurship.
Basically a lot of practical things that we've been wanting to learn will be taught there.
It's nice to be able to learn from other youths who are also passionate about social enterprise. There's even a team from Indonesia coming just to participate in this.

Its an in-house residence thing so Justine Jing Ying and I will be staying at the Fort Canning Lodge, all expense paid for 5 days! They're even giving us money for our dinners outside on evenings.
Looking forward to bond and develop further as a team.
I think we are going to learn so much about each other!

Hope I can update you guys over here every night if possible while we're there:)

To Be Continued

2010-02-25T22:24:00.000-08:00

Sometimes we feel like exclaiming,
"I'm finished!"
"This is it!"
"This is the dead end..."

We can easily feel like there is no more to our lives.
Perhaps its because of your glaring mistakes, or mediocre living, that convinces you that you have forgone your destiny.

You'd love to try harder.
But you think its too late.

Often, we put a premature abrupt ending to the stories of our life.

Open your life again, and this time don't scribble whatever you want, but let the author complete the masterpiece.
The paper being written on doesn't determine where the story ends or goes.
The power is in the hands wielding the pen.

Your story is not over
The last word has not been spoken
The writer is not done yet
There may be way more going on here than any of us realize

HAI CHOO!

2010-02-18T09:24:00.000-08:00

Its a bad time to fall sick

But then again,
Anytime is a bad time to fall sick.

I've recovered, but my sis is sick too, please say a prayer for her aight!

Saw on the news today that the number of patients in the clinic rose by 10% after CNY...

PS.
Please drink more water guys.

Read my way into Insomnia

2010-02-10T11:12:00.000-08:00

Is it ok if I just share about my day in this post?

Spent my day doing housework, babysitting and delivering a birthday cake via bicycle, reading and listening.
I'm not much of an academic but I'm kind of like a nerd.
I love reading stuffs that seem to stir the fire in my belly. Thats the most apt description I could give you. I love typing stuffs that gives some of that fire away too.

I go comatose though when I try to read stuffs because I have to.
But being a student means I have to read stuff because I have to.

But like Paul Scanlon put it plainly over the weekend,

"you gotta kiss some frogs before your prince(ss) turns up"

And education is like THE frog you HAVE to kiss before your prince shows up.
In fact the quality of this frog might actually determine the quality of your prince.

Exams are round the corner, so I've been making a point to stay home and practice some much needed "kissing" action.
I wonder if my education frog is ready for some wet sloppy kisses.

I'm so excited for the holidays...
SIF's 5 day stay at the Fort Canning Lodge, Soule's first ever shoe drop in China, visiting some kids in a program called WeLL.
I'll share more on those next time.

I was supposed to sleep like 3 hours ago but some reading got me too stirred up to leave my head on the pillow.
I do hope my rooster crows loud enough tomorrow morning.

Tomorrow should be interesting.
I have a radio interview for Mdm Jyings @8.45am.
She has always made time and put in insane efforts to complete the duties Justine or I delegate her, so its a pleasure to wake up early and do this for her.

Another highlight, would be my NAPFA test.

(do not confuse it with NAFA, this has nothing to do with astronauts)

Failing my Napfa test means I would have to enter army 2 months earlier.
Honestly Honestly speaking, the odds are stacked against me, friends fitter than me have failed already.
I may not be Yong ming but Imma try my best tomorrow.

I'm looking forward to really exercising in the next 3 years though! I look forward to NS.

No, really. I DO look forward to NS.

Ever since my hole-in-lung incident, I haven't really pushed myself physically.
But my dreams are getting bigger and I know I will need a strong body to be able to run further in this race.

Last thing I want is to have something like high blood pressure be the reason why my dream couldn't happen.

That would be...

See Ann Why

2010-02-08T23:01:00.000-08:00

Chinese New Year is approaching...

Mum and I basically cleaned up the entire house already.
The past few days at home has been full of sweeping, vacuuming, mopping, wiping and tired-ing.

I'm very fortunate to live with my mum, she keeps our crib SO clean!
My aunt who stayed over once commented, "Even the walls have no dust!"
(yep, in our household, even the walls are clean wiped)

My mum doesn't suffer from OCD(Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) though.
I think she's like the living epitome of let's-be-clean-but-let's-be-sane-and-not-go-overboard.

As always though, there is no fairytale in life. I did not inherit this super hardworking gene.
Though I'm proud to say my room is more tidy than most youth without the help of a domestic helper..
But this attributes to my mum's interference and also my expertise in hiding my mess.

My mum says I'm actually cleaner than her, BUT thats only when I actually do the cleaning.
You get it?
I don't clean up as often, but when I get started, dust mites tremble at the sound of my foot steps.

Anyway, news is, I just turned 20, and suddenly my mum has been delivered from her ultra conservativeness and joined the liberal side.
Shock, horror, surprise aside, she is actually more liberal than I am :0

You know when you're in your 10-somethings, getting attached is such a huge issue?
Now that I've touched the magic 20, she's suggesting I start finding a girlfriend.
Yes kids, that day WILL come, so be patient whilst in the depths of the raging tempests in your hormones.

I think getting attached is great, and love is wonderful.

Getting into a relationship, is presenting yourself to the other.
I believe its every important, to know WHO you really are before you present yourself to another.
I'm not saying you should get attached only when you get EVERYTHING right and be close to perfection.

But you should have a honest opinion of who you are, your strengths, your flaws and your commitments.
And after really understanding yourself, you must learn to love yourself.

the last thing we want to bring into a relationship is a package of nasty surprises and emotional baggages.
When you are able to get a sense of who you are, and love yourself, then you will have the confidence to love another person, with all their strengths, flaws, commitments.

Imagine this.

You know those times when you give a gift that doesn't really cost you anything?
Or you put little preparation and thought into getting the gift?
HOW do you feel when the person receives it?

Capture that thought.

Contrast that with this scenario.
you have been working hard, saving up. And buying this gift that you KNOW your friend would love, because you have been observing him. You painstakingly wrapped it with the best wrapper you could get your hands on, and you finish it off with a beautiful bow on top of it.

When he receives the present, and you see the look on his face.
HOW would you feel?

During my birthday, I received so many lovely gifts.
I could see the joy in the giver's faces because they knew I would like the gift and I would enjoy it.

Wouldn't it be great, when the day comes when you present yourself to another,

you are not feeling doubtful, sorry or apprehensive.
But you are able to present yourself with great pride and joy.

To all singles out there this coming Valentine's,
till the day comes when we become participants instead of spectators(Lol)

Count it all joy,

to discover your strengths,

accept your weaknesses,

shape your commitments.

Bathed my way into my 20th Year

2010-01-31T09:09:00.000-08:00

The birthday celebrations have been nothing short of interesting so far.
N439 blindfolded me and set a few challenges for me.

I sang out my order at McDonald's to the cashier girl .I hope she is recovering well...
Then I had to dance Para Para at the Arcade.
I redefined the stiffness in the word "STIFF"

And I bluffed my way out of the last challenge.
They blessed me with a nice pin up board and a really cool jacket from Bershka.
I love this bunch, they taught me so much in my last year :)

At 10pm today,
Ryan Pang met me up and sang me a birthday song with a cake!
Beyond our masculine exterior, lies a very complex level of mushiness.From the pits of my heart, I was touched. I casually shared with him that I never really take my birthday celebrations seriously. I'm not really bothered by the nature of processions.
But he took it so seriously and was so determined to at least celebrate with me before he returns to camp. You know you have a good friend when he goes out of the way just to let you know that your day is worth celebrating!
Nothing beats a good dosage of Ryan's Bromantic friendship...Hehe

I arrive home base at 11pm to find my mum chatting away with our tenant.
I watched them talk for 1 hour.

At 12 am sharp, I was bathing.
Nothing beats entering the new 20 all cleaned up ;p

The first person to wish me was Yah Lan!
She Called me and sang the entire birthday song to me over the phone.

Here is the amazing thing guys,
remember at 11pm my mum was chatting with my tenant?
Well, half way, my other tenant came home.The 3 ladies have been talking non stop from 11pm to now (1.40am)

I believe they have so far covered about 40% of the available topics that exist within the cosmos of this universe. They are going strong.
I believe they are going for the world record.

Whilst I wait for my mum to end her never ending conversation, I would like to say thank you all for the wishes!
May you enjoy a good Feb 1 as much as I'm going to enjoy it:)

"MOM ARE YOU DONE YET?!"

I found God in the Dirt

2010-01-23T09:34:00.000-08:00

When I was younger, I was a clean freak.
Public toilets were not good enough for me. I would hold my bladder till my face turned purple, just so that I don't have to use the public toilets.

Imagine my horror when my mum brought me back to her hometown in Sitiawan Malaysia.
Living in Grandma's humble abode, the toilet was a squat toilet.
Subsequently, I would refuse to go back to Malaysia with my mother, just because of the standard of the toilets there.

I hated getting dirty.

But how many of you know, we live in a dirty world?
Despite my best efforts... I got dirty.

I would be livid if any drop of saliva touched me, or if any bug neared me.

All I wanted, was to be clean, and stay away from all dirty places.

Recently, after my sister has been on psychiatric drugs to keep her calm, she tends to be really drowsy.
My mum and I would say she is the koala bear cause she's so sleepy and cuddly most of the time.
She would just hug us, and rest in our arms.

In the midst of her drowsiness, sometimes she would drool unknowingly.

My shirt would get drenched, and I would use my hands to wipe the saliva off her mouth.
I did not squirm one bit.

During the period when she couldn't control herself, and soil herself.
My mum and I had to clean up the mess and bathe her too.

The saliva and the dirt did not seem such an issue to me.
I just wanted to clean her up because I love her.

Ever heard that when babies have phlegm, mothers would use their mouth to suck out the phlegm through the babies nose?

I do squirm at the thought of that...

But the mothers have to do it, or else the baby can't breathe properly.

Its in the midst of all these dirty things that we do for people, would you feel God's heart.

Often the image of God, is a holy and righteous God(which He is), seated on the great white throne that is squeeky clean.

And the image of yourself, is of imperfection, incomplete, not so clean, and not so deserving.
It feels like He is so high up, and so unreachable.

But I think if you really want to find where God is, you'll find him in the dirty places.

Sometimes you'll find Him in the midst of death stenched disaster areas like Haiti.
Sometimes He is in the slums where hygiene is lacking.

He is also there when you drench and dirty your pillow with your tears and all.
He is there when your life is caught up in all the dirty acts that you wished no one would see.
He is there when you no longer feel "clean" enough to enter His presence.

I've been very challenged recently...
I very so much wanted to stay in my comfort zone, and love the people who are easy to love.
Do the things that are easy to do.

Try not to get my hands, "dirty"
But the God I know, is found in dirt.
He is in the dirtiest places, with the people whom no one is willing to touch.
Loving those who are difficult to love.

Are you feeling like you are in a dirty, imperfect and ugly phase in your life?
The current situation irks you?

may you understand, that He is with you in the very midst of this.
You may think He will only show up when you get your life clean and right.
But hey,

He is already with you.

Good Morning Monday!

2010-01-17T19:49:00.000-08:00

My presentation this morning got postponed.
So I thought i'd show u guys the monkey we saw yesterday.
(u thought i was joking abt the monkey in my earlier post right?)

I used to love this monkey song from rugrats movie.
"ooo eee ooo ah ah, ting tang wah la bing bang"

Anyway, my goods (flip flops) are arriving today or tomorrow. Justine and i are pretty excited. I hope we can sell out this batch as much as possible, proceeds will go into one of Sun's school in china.

I don't expect all my friends to buy from us though! I'll be happier if I can sell this to e public.
Cos I am visualizing better future products, I'd be happier if my friends got e nicer one:)

But feel free to support e cause guys!

Its like riding a bike

2010-01-17T08:25:00.000-08:00

Today, I went for a nature walk @ Henderson's Wave.
I like the feeling of standing high up and looking at all the beautiful trees and buildings.
We bumped into a monkey while going downhill too.

Carol was sharing with some of us that the age you start exercising regularly is the age that you LOCK IN your current physical state. That means you slow down the degenerating of the body.
When you're nearing 20, you'll start taking note of this kind of things :p

Its one of the habits I'm trying to form this year, to exercise every sunday.great start, we have already went for a sporty outing twice this year!
(that signifies that sports is no longer a one time annual event!)

Talking about habits...

Remember what's it like to ride a bike for the first time?
How many of you remember blood, tears and ugly scabs.

Do you recall the words shouted at you while you started peddling for the first time ever?

"KEEP PEDDLING!"
"LOOK FORWARD"
"DON'T STOP!"
"GO STRAIGHT!" (as if I had the intention of going in circles)
"DON'T FALL!" (most helpful advice wasn't it?)

These commands, seemed so foreign and unnatural to us at that point of time.
But now,
peddling,

looking forward( some can even look backwards, good job)
learning to stop with a brake (instead of crashing into an immovable object)
going straight

not falling...

Now its like 2nd Nature

You don't have to consciously remind yourself to pedal now do you?

Its no big deal anymore to ride a bike.
When I cycle, I don't shout at the top of my voice,
" HEY LOOK EVERYBODY, I'M CYCLING!!!"

I just get on my bike and well... cycle!
Its 2nd Nature

In this new year, what new habits are you trying to pick up or strengthen?
I'm really a sucker for trying to form new habits.
I take more time than most people to succeed.
But hey, better late than never!

May you find the tenacity and perseverance to keep trying even if you fail,

may you reach the point where the good habits become like...
2nd nature

Have a good week everyone!

Life is Tough

2010-01-16T08:45:00.000-08:00

Hey guys,

To say the obvious, I haven't been updating much.
But I'll try not to neglect this space in 2010.

I was just talking to someone and the person commented:
"you really must take care of yourself... You're so busy you can hardly sleep well...I feel sad when I see you like this..."

So some people think I'm that SUPER busy guy who is doing this and that.
But here's a myth buster for you, I'm not THAT busy.

Some of you might have thought before "eeek, I'm not like this guy" or "I'm so different from him"

Hopefully you'll know and understand me more when you read this space.

You'll find that I'm made up of tissue and bones and flesh and organs like you.
You'll realize I breathe O2 too.
I make mistakes.
I like having fun like most people.
I eat.
I rest.
I make more mistakes.
I try again.
I laugh
I doubt
I question
I agonize

I seek for something more

You get my drift...
we aren't very different.

So, thats that, check this space once a week, have a great 2010 people!

Life is tough

But you are tougher...

You are tough
But He is more able

People are People but He is still God

2009-11-06T10:36:00.000-08:00

Everyday we check ourselves in the mirror.

How many times do we actually check up on the condition of our hearts.

Why you're doing the things you do?

Do you know?

Why did you get irritated with that person?
Why did you feel inferior when you talked to that person?
Why did you glare at that sight?
Why did you ignore or turn a blind's eye?
Why did you check yourself out so many times in the mirror today?
Why did your heart skip a beat when you're around that person?
Why did you have the urge to run away when that issue happened?
Why did you shelf that thought every time it turned up?
Why did you decide to spend today the way you spent it?

Why are you surfing non stop right now and refusing to sleep?

I love asking questions.
And He loves giving answers.

But the final question is,
will I accept and listen to truthful answers?

Its all about love

2009-11-02T09:51:00.000-08:00

All things work out for good for those who love Him.

Over time, we've lived out our own definitions.

All things work out good for those who serve Him.
All things work out good for those who try hardest.
All things work out good for those who prays the most.
All things work out good for those who can make no mistake.

And the list goes on.

What is your definition?
Some of the examples I mentioned are good things.

But I'm sure you've heard that good is often the enemy of best.

All things work out for good for those who Love Him.

As your soul prospers

2009-11-01T10:15:00.000-08:00

Hey all!

I was just checking my dashboard, and (Horror) I've only posted 11 posts on this blog so far.
You deserve a standing ovation for still visiting this space!

So, I just want to share with you guys how the past few months have been...
As some of you know, I came back from Indo and Msia.
So here are some pictures of the Indo trip.

(having trouble uploading phone photos for Msia trip)

For the Indonesia trip, it was purely for pleasure!
My primary school friend, Jimmi had his 21st Birthday and his family rented a private island for him and his friends.

So you can imagine, it was a time of lazing around on an idle island...
It was good fun, minus the mozzies.

So below is the pictures in sequence.
1) The birthday man.

2) Our dinner at Pizza Hut. The bill totalled 900,000. (Rupiah)
3) Our 4 hr ride to the island.
4) The crew whom I spent the trip with!
5) Peg, Jimmi's girlfriend. They've been together since we were in primary school. Amazing huh?
6) Touchdown on the island
7) the CLEAR WATER! (take that EastCoast beach)
8) That big hut housed 5 of us. The island basically had a few of these huts and a main dining area. There was also a swimming pool, a beach ball area. Also a small hut containing snorkeling gear and some kayaks.
With all these, we basically chilled, snorkeled(tried), kayaked, swam, played board games, ATE ALOT and SLEPT.
9)That mosquito net picture was my bed!
10) Last picture was our dining area. Yep, we ditched the shirts, Free and Easy! (feast time for mozzies too)

All in all, a pretty fun trip.
There was no communication, no air con, no tv etc...
So it was uncomfortable at first.

I was so glad to be back with communication!
This trip was a trip of novelty, new experiences.
Also really appreciate the hospitality of the Ho family.
Esp Peg and Jim whom put in so much effort to plan the entire event.

Wouldn't it be great to be able to hold your own birthday bash on an island with no one but your friends and some excellent room service people!?

What I enjoyed most about this trip...
The untouched nature of the island and the beautiful sun sets really awed me.
God is such an artist...

My trip to Ipoh was for business.
I went with Justine and Jing Ying.
with a few hundred dollars on us, we ventured into the industrial area for our first ever buying trip!

It was such an adventure, meeting suppliers and factory owners.
You bet they were shocked when they saw us cause of our age.
But one thing about the people there, they don't despise your age!
Not only we were given the chance to talk to them, these bosses and owners even gave us huge discounts on their products when we wanted to buy some for ourselves. One owner even bought coffee for us while we were negotiating.

the 3 of us stayed in my relatives house, and my uncle provided the transport. They were SO hospitable to us...
(the 3 of us secretly left some cash in their home when we left to thank them for the hospitality)
It was a tiring trip honestly, but it was AWESOME.
Because it was really one more step towards my dream of setting up a social enterprise.

I know its so insignificant in the grand scheme of things, but this trip really cemented my dream.
I remember the 3 of us praying together one night over this business idea while in Ipoh and my head was swirling with excitement! It was also on this trip that we came up with the company's philosophy. (share with you guys more next time)

One vision I have is to be able to provide shoes for all the students studying in Sun's School through this business.

ever since the day that this dream found me(literally), I have received so much in my pursuit.
I've found my passion, something that burns deep within.
It has taught me to have childlike faith.

So many reasons not to do a business at this age...
But its just something the 3 of us can't turn away from.
I've seen brilliant young people setting up businesses on campus, in shopping malls...
but I think you will be brilliant-er if your business doesn't only make your wallet fatter, but also leaves you with a bigger heart.
A business person who in all his getting, doesn't forget to outgive his getting.

As much as I made the most out of these 2 trips and did enjoy it...
This 2 trips overseas honestly came at a bad time for me personally.
I think it was one of my lower points in life.
I'm sure the people who were on the trips didn't know it cause I kept mum.
Srsly, if not for the people on the trips, it wouldnt be enjoyable AT ALL.

I was going through something in my life and family.

There was a whole load of emotions and thoughts I had to fight off.
I remember cramming myself with the Mp3 on the long bus journey to Ipoh.
So that I could lay off the thinking, untill I was back in SG.

I was so relieved to be back, but at the same time, dreaded having to face it all.
The situation didn't get better at all, and it was pretty crushing.
But I just grit my teeth and went through it, trying my best to keep a good attitude.

I learned some painful lessons, and got a little wiser.

My point in sharing all these,

is I really pray you don't forget the things that are around you.
Your family, your relationships.

Sometimes we talk about our "rights", our "privacy", or "this is a new phase in my life, i just have to EXPERIENCE this".

"I DESERVE this" or " I don't DESERVE this"

What do you really deserve?
do you really want to know what you deserve?

You may not be pleased with the truth...

There are somethings, that I'm now cool with not having to be able to experience because of my convictions.
Its not about being moralistic or all about "keeping your commitments" or living according to a code.

This life is not about " please do this"
and " DON'T DO THIS".

If you think it is, you've got it all wrong...

Life is just about living it out, as a response to your love.

How you live your life out, is really just an answer back to this question...

"Do you love me?"

I know I never give the perfect answers.
It always comes out awkward, and sometimes wavering.

But I'll be glad to answer that question with a(even should I be awkward and waver) RESOUNDING FINAL "YES".

1...2...3...

2009-10-06T19:26:00.000-07:00

Currently in Ipoh now.

I'll update you guys on my indo and Msia trip when i'm back in Singapore.

Just a snippet of our very serious meetings here,

Justine:"Ok everyone deal on this decision?"
John & Jing Ying: "Ok deal."
Justine: " hey guys lets have our own cheer!"

*John and Jing Ying's Response censored

So... In the midst of an important meeting, Justine decides that the company have a cheer. HMM...

So guys this is how our cheer goes.

Justine:
(hands out palm facing ground)
1! 2! 3!...

Hey John & Jing Ying, where are you guys going?!
Come back! Hey where's the team spirit?!

one on the left and one on the right

2009-09-26T11:19:00.001-07:00

hey guys,

blogging for the first time via my mobile.

I'm surprised I've not blogged for so long...
haven't had much to share publicly...

So many things have happened.
Just so you know, I'm doing fine.
A very short update...

I just bought my new house,
Sold my motorbike in order to finance it,
my boy is ald 6 months old.
And my wife is pregnant with our second child!!

Haha.ok couldn't resist...

Jokes aside,
Just so you know,
I'm dng fine.
Ok guys, gtg now!
Promise, more updates next mth(:

LIG

2009-09-16T04:19:00.000-07:00

Hey guys, sry for the lack of update.

Have had stuffs to attend to.

In the meanwhile, if you want to see what I've been seeing, you can actually do so at my facebook...
Just check out my "mobile uploads" photo album.

I regularly take pictures with my phone!

My world has literally been rocking.

2009-08-31T14:19:00.000-07:00

Many thanks to all the well wishes following my water bapt...
Victory is sweet when it is shared.
Though it did not happen the way I intended,

but I believe its a beginning.

I learn alot from this truimph...

There is always a reason to wait.

I'm learning that its such a mistake to wait for the waiters(people who wait too often) in life.
Too often I have waited,

but now I am determined to speed up my destiny.

I realised waiting can cost people so much.
As much as we are called to wait upon heaven,

heaven is often waiting for us to move too!

Delay out of fear or passiveness,

is really just idling.

Idleness breeds immorality.

Waiting for perfect conditions is the perfect way to waste life away.

Everyone knows what they want,

but how many are actually going for what they want?

If your dream is worth the fight,

why aren't we fighting?

If you believe in something, you have to stick your neck out for it!
And when you stick your neck out, there will be people who will want to chop it down...

But the important thing is to STEP OUT
Lesser words

more action.

I set a few targets for myself this few months, and if I don't give my best for these targets,

I am not called John Tay!

PS.

Actually I am already not called John Tay. I'm John Timothy Tay now!
:p

Give it up

2009-08-25T11:00:00.000-07:00

Hey Peeps,

Been falling sick
I must say that I have learnt my lesson...
I will not take care of my body this way even if its exam time!

I was just revising and preparing my notes ( to print in TP tmr morn, FOR FREE!haha :D)
and my head feels so crammed up....
My throat is itchy
Every 3 sentence I speak will go off key...

As much as you can perk and refresh yourself emotionally and spiritually,

when the body is down, trust me, it will impact the other 2 areas as well.

Its like how you can have the best ice cream but you don't have a cone or cup to contain it so you hold it in your hands.
Then inevitbly the ice cream melts in the warmth of your hands.
And you've nothing left

but a murky mess

To all studying hard for exams

2009-08-19T07:28:00.000-07:00

看我今天样子那么乖...
see how well-behaved I look today...

What am I going to do??

读书！！！
STUDY!!!

都在考试的朋友，
大家要加油！

To those having exams,
Study Hard!

Today was a tiring day, last night didn't get to sleep well at all.
All my rest was in 15 mins intervals.
To go with that there were weird dreams to accompany those short lived rests!

I really wish exams will pass soon!!!

This round of exams is very important to me...
Its a make or break semester,

sometimes I do feel very stressed.

But even in the midst of stress,
I've had the privellege to listen to some people's problems,

even solve some things...

I'm not the kind that will hang my problems out for people to see,

and even my close friends will have to do some digging to find out.

But you know, just being in the company of friends,
I am very comforted already, even if I don't say much!

Many painful truths emerged over the past week,

some words really leave my heart hanging on a thread
But the thread that I hang onto will never break...
The words you'll find in that leather backed book is the source of LIFE!
when you find yourself bored by the Word,

its time to do some check up...
Its the love letters that will never go back on its Promises.

Amidst all the little turmoils

I just want to give my best now,

whether it comes out great or not so great,

I will remember I still have the most important things,

that is...
Failure or Success,
I'm loved!

You know we always love to go in depth,

after all who wants to be shallow???

but sometimes its a really deep thing to do

when you are able to keep life's philosophies
SIMPLE

Love Requires Risk

2009-08-18T10:28:00.000-07:00

Hi guys,

taking a little break and uploaded some of the photos from my cell phone.

This is my distant cousin, we were celebrating my grandma's birthday( which is on National day!)

Cute? This is Lucy from Charlie Brown, I don't know why my grandma has this toy.
I kind of like Charlie Brown.

SNOW ICE. YOU MUST EAT THIS. YUMMY

My youths love to pose

But sometimes they are camera shy...

Buddy looking good...
Ladies, please queue up!
Haha...

My two boys are MAN enough to have fun at the cup cake D.I.Y station

We caught UP! on national day holiday
I like this show...

Jeremy got to take a picture with the cast of the movie.
Look! The old man even put his hand on Jeremy's back!!!
So nice of him

I tried to go for the geeky look but it came out the TIRED look.

Hahaha...
I don't have time to really blog cause its my exam period...

But I'll just squeeze in a bit of my thoughts here ok!

You know how people always say that Love requires risk?
"If you love a person or something, you should go ahead and take the risk!!!"

Familiar?

But a question I had to ask myself at one point of time is...

What if the time is not right for the love?

Maybe its someone you like,

or something you really want...

And you know and you know you do Love this person or desire.

What do you do?

Do you wait?

For the right time?

Just take the risk!
Go Ahead and pursue the love!

After all, loving people is always risky.

Don't wait anymore...

I agree that love requires a certain level of risk.
But can I share with you my view point?

Risk is involved in loving.
And sometimes this RISK comes about because of waiting...

In waiting...
There is the risk that love might fade,

there is the risk that the person might have moved on,

there is the risk that people change...
there is the risk that the person even got attached to other people!!!

You see, if I know its not the right time, and that I love the person.

I am willing to wait.

Because I understand that in loving, there will always be risk.
And in the presence of risks, you must have faith.

Faith that love is patient,

faith that love can stand the test of time,

faith that even when the other person doesn't wait for you,

you will still find true love.

Some of my close friends have been teasing me and asking me what kind of girl I like or is there a "target"...

I appreciate their concern ( but I know they only want to get angpao as early as possible)

And I realise, hey yeah, I've not been attached for almost 3 years ald!!!
Sometimes even I'm surprised...

But I'm still SO YOUNG.

Honestly, I already know what kind of a person I want.
But to have A grade girlfriend,

I must first be A grade boyfriend.

The best gift you can give to your future partner,

is not the valentine gifts and flowers,

not the love letters,

not the physical intimacy
not the sweet nothings

not the great promises

Valentine gifts and flowers will perish and fade away

love letters will bring pain when there is a breaking away

physical intimacy can never touch your heart

sweet nothings are just that... "Nothing"
great promises can be reduced to empty promises

The best gift you can give to him/her is
YOURSELF.

So thats my viewpoint, I want to improve myself, live a fulfilling life and when it comes it comes.

To those who must wait for love,

don't awaken love when its not time...
If the love is worth the risk,

wait for it.

To my "concerned friends", you know who you are,
if you really love angpao,

wait for it.
Because love requires risk...
HAHA!

I've Lost Count... Seriously

2009-08-16T23:35:00.000-07:00

Hello,welcome to Juhn Tae's Blog!

i've changed my blog because my previous blog got punk'd by me and all

it never quite forgave me for messing up its HTML.
So until Joboot decides to reconcile with me,I'll be at Juhn Tae.

I won't be deleting Joboot cause all my precious archives are there,( though the archives are inaccesible because I screwed up the HTML) but at least I can view it.
If you desire to read my archives, please send an email to Jayer_tee@hotmail.com

Current New features on this blog...

You can view my twitter updates
You can click your reactions after each post
( All the reactions are positive ones.
For negative reactions, you can either
- Leave a comment
- Email me at Jayer_tee@hotmail.com
- Click the cross at the upper right hand corner of the screen.
Whatever suits you...)

But thanks for visiting in the first place!

and the last latest feature is....you can now feed the fishes.
don't question the purpose of the fishes, I just want a place where fishes don't die.
Casualties amount in my home's aquarium you see.

beyond that,
I'm wondering how to insert a tagboard...
Hope you like the new simple layout.