Tuesday, 30 August 2005
Audacious CDs
The Audacious CDs have arrived!! They have arrived... *sings off-key...* 11 of the most life-changing sessions I have ever heard!! Woooo HOOO!!!!!!
Friday, 26 August 2005
Reflecting...
It's been nearly 3 weeks since I've come back. Reaching back, I have been amazed by how much things have stayed the same. I've changed so much during my time in Sheffield, guessed I was expecting Malaysia to have changed some what too, especially considering the amount of construction work going on when I left.
It's been an interesting and exciting 2 years in Sheffield. I've changed my perception on many things while emphasising others. In that time, I've gone clubbing (somewhat), travelled quite a bit and got planted in an awesome church. I've learnt to tolerate certain things and gotten focused on my life.
Looking back, I can definitely feel different to when I first went over. In fact, I can say after the experience I gain in Sheffield, I never want to revert back to before. To me, graduation marked the closure of one chapter of my life and Audacious marked the beginning of a long and exciting new chapter. Here I go...
It's been an interesting and exciting 2 years in Sheffield. I've changed my perception on many things while emphasising others. In that time, I've gone clubbing (somewhat), travelled quite a bit and got planted in an awesome church. I've learnt to tolerate certain things and gotten focused on my life.
Looking back, I can definitely feel different to when I first went over. In fact, I can say after the experience I gain in Sheffield, I never want to revert back to before. To me, graduation marked the closure of one chapter of my life and Audacious marked the beginning of a long and exciting new chapter. Here I go...
Assaulted
On Sunday the 31st of July, I got assaulted! Hehehe...
Basically, got a drunk who thought I was following him and got mad. The university's security services saw the whole incident, picked me up and called the police. According to the police, they can't arrest him because he has not physically harm me. So, fortunate for me, I'm perfectly fine!
Anyway, just though I'd write it down. That's all folks!
Basically, got a drunk who thought I was following him and got mad. The university's security services saw the whole incident, picked me up and called the police. According to the police, they can't arrest him because he has not physically harm me. So, fortunate for me, I'm perfectly fine!
Anyway, just though I'd write it down. That's all folks!
Thursday, 25 August 2005
Ice Princess: Lessons
I watched Disney's Ice Princess last month and found it quite nice though the storyline was not to my liking (guess I prefer the traditional rise to glory story of falling down and starting again). Still, it was a nice movie. In a nutshell, the story is about Casey pursuing her dreams. It starts out with her doing an physics project based on figure skating and follows her as she gives up academic excellence to pursue her dream of being a figure skater.
What's interesting in this movie is the presence of two kinds of parents. Casey's mom has always put academic excellence above anything else. She sees getting a good degree as the ultimate dream; no matter what Casey's interest might be. Course, it helps that Casey is a straight A student. Casey's coach however pushes her own daughter to be a champion figure skater. In conclusion, we see 2 moms both pushing their respective daughters to achieving greatness while both daughters wanting otherwise.
While both moms only want the best for their daughters, neither actually knows what their own daughters want. As Casey says in the movie: "I'm giving up your dream, mom. I chasing after mine." Casey's mom only wanted the best for her daughter. But because she placed so much importance in good grades (since she believes that's the only way to a long, happy life), she has convinced herself that that's Casey's dream. However, as the movie shows, that's not true.
I find this very true in life. I have met quite a few people who end up doing a course just to get a degree. Some have even plan to branch out to something else all together after they graduated. Also, I have come to realize that all those examinations we work so hard for (SPM, PMR, UPSR, etc.) don't matter much other than to get you to the next level. Once you get to Form 4, PMR does not matter anymore for example. And yet, we work so hard to do extremely well in PMR as if our lives depended on it. That, I find, quite insane.
On the other hand, Casey's coach, former figure skater Tina Harwood, pushes her own daughter into becoming a champion figure skater. She reminds me of parents who put their children through any sports they show the smallest inkling for just in case they might be a prodigy. Of course, in this case, Tina and her daughter both know she's not very talented in figure skating.
The lesson that both mums learn is to listen to their daughters. And a lesson I can take from this is not to over stress the importance of one over the other. While I believe that academics makes life better, I do not believe it's vital. There are many examples of people who achieve their dreams and living happy lives without doing well academically. The same way I believe money does not buy happiness, I also believe getting a degree gives anyone anything. It's just a piece of paper, full stop. All it shows is that you have learn more about a certain subject compared to most people.
Don't get me wrong, I still believe education is important. But the way it's been stressed is just crazy. Tuitions for every subject, revision books by the dozens, question spotting, strategies for scoring that A... it's nuts. It's as if exams are a war to be won. One way Dictionary.com defines exams is "A set of questions or exercises testing knowledge or skill." The way I see it, exams should be a test of how much we know about a subject, not how well we can spot the questions coming out in it. The certificate we get is basically proof about how well we know those subjects.
During my time in Sheffield, I have learn to appreciate thoroughly learning something and knowing the basics. Many people have played down the importance of the first year subjects because we only need to pass them to get to the second year and they don't count towards our final grade. I disagree. If I hadn't completely understand and learn those subjects, I would have struggled very hard in the next 2 years. Those subjects were the foundation subjects. All the things I learnt later on were basically the same things I have already learnt except in different forms and in more depth.
I'll let you in on a little secret. Many a times, I have had friends come up to me, asking for my help with things they do not understand. At that time, I have not revised what they ask me but because I know the basics, I can use logic to explain it to them. From that, I know that understanding and memorising something is totally different. When you understand something, it becomes easier to remember it. Course, I still had to study it coz otherwise, it won't stick in my mind. =P
Another interesting lesson I caught is one many movies has shown in the past. It's the pursuit of dreams completely. Casey devoted all her time and energy towards achieving her goal, whether it was getting a good project or becoming a better figure skater. That's a valuable lesson for anyone.
Lastly, it nice to see a cheerleader and a couple of geeks can still mix together. Plus, the fact that Jen has been guiding Casey genuinely though she is strictly an opponent. Also, the 2 mums seem to be able to get along okay though they had have their differences. Overall, the movie has a very feel good manner to it though lacking in any real baddies plus having changing relationships between characters.
What's interesting in this movie is the presence of two kinds of parents. Casey's mom has always put academic excellence above anything else. She sees getting a good degree as the ultimate dream; no matter what Casey's interest might be. Course, it helps that Casey is a straight A student. Casey's coach however pushes her own daughter to be a champion figure skater. In conclusion, we see 2 moms both pushing their respective daughters to achieving greatness while both daughters wanting otherwise.
While both moms only want the best for their daughters, neither actually knows what their own daughters want. As Casey says in the movie: "I'm giving up your dream, mom. I chasing after mine." Casey's mom only wanted the best for her daughter. But because she placed so much importance in good grades (since she believes that's the only way to a long, happy life), she has convinced herself that that's Casey's dream. However, as the movie shows, that's not true.
I find this very true in life. I have met quite a few people who end up doing a course just to get a degree. Some have even plan to branch out to something else all together after they graduated. Also, I have come to realize that all those examinations we work so hard for (SPM, PMR, UPSR, etc.) don't matter much other than to get you to the next level. Once you get to Form 4, PMR does not matter anymore for example. And yet, we work so hard to do extremely well in PMR as if our lives depended on it. That, I find, quite insane.
On the other hand, Casey's coach, former figure skater Tina Harwood, pushes her own daughter into becoming a champion figure skater. She reminds me of parents who put their children through any sports they show the smallest inkling for just in case they might be a prodigy. Of course, in this case, Tina and her daughter both know she's not very talented in figure skating.
The lesson that both mums learn is to listen to their daughters. And a lesson I can take from this is not to over stress the importance of one over the other. While I believe that academics makes life better, I do not believe it's vital. There are many examples of people who achieve their dreams and living happy lives without doing well academically. The same way I believe money does not buy happiness, I also believe getting a degree gives anyone anything. It's just a piece of paper, full stop. All it shows is that you have learn more about a certain subject compared to most people.
Don't get me wrong, I still believe education is important. But the way it's been stressed is just crazy. Tuitions for every subject, revision books by the dozens, question spotting, strategies for scoring that A... it's nuts. It's as if exams are a war to be won. One way Dictionary.com defines exams is "A set of questions or exercises testing knowledge or skill." The way I see it, exams should be a test of how much we know about a subject, not how well we can spot the questions coming out in it. The certificate we get is basically proof about how well we know those subjects.
During my time in Sheffield, I have learn to appreciate thoroughly learning something and knowing the basics. Many people have played down the importance of the first year subjects because we only need to pass them to get to the second year and they don't count towards our final grade. I disagree. If I hadn't completely understand and learn those subjects, I would have struggled very hard in the next 2 years. Those subjects were the foundation subjects. All the things I learnt later on were basically the same things I have already learnt except in different forms and in more depth.
I'll let you in on a little secret. Many a times, I have had friends come up to me, asking for my help with things they do not understand. At that time, I have not revised what they ask me but because I know the basics, I can use logic to explain it to them. From that, I know that understanding and memorising something is totally different. When you understand something, it becomes easier to remember it. Course, I still had to study it coz otherwise, it won't stick in my mind. =P
Another interesting lesson I caught is one many movies has shown in the past. It's the pursuit of dreams completely. Casey devoted all her time and energy towards achieving her goal, whether it was getting a good project or becoming a better figure skater. That's a valuable lesson for anyone.
Lastly, it nice to see a cheerleader and a couple of geeks can still mix together. Plus, the fact that Jen has been guiding Casey genuinely though she is strictly an opponent. Also, the 2 mums seem to be able to get along okay though they had have their differences. Overall, the movie has a very feel good manner to it though lacking in any real baddies plus having changing relationships between characters.
Friday, 5 August 2005
Audacious!
From the 30th of July till the 3rd of August, a conference called Audacious was held in Ice Sheffield. It's more than a conference, it's a revolution. And I was part of it, not only as a delegate but also as a volunteer.
For as long as I can remember, my church has been hyping up Audacious. Everyone who talks about it says it's really good and not to be missed. Kinda makes you wonder whether it can live up to the hype, doesn't it? Plus, it cost me 90 pounds and I heard that not many people from my church signed up for it.
Well, now that I've experience it for myself, I can definitely tell you that it's not only lives up to the hype, but exceeds it. The experience and the knowledge that I gain from it is priceless. Now, I'll probably be one of those who will hype up next year's Audacious which will be held in 2 cities, one after another! Woohoo!!
Let me just say this, the entire conference just got better, and better. It started on Saturday night and Glyn was speaking. I forgot my notepad so I couldn't take notes but his preach was powerful. The next day was awesome as well. Mark Ritchie spoke during the night session and he was so funny! Anyone who wasn't laughing at some point during his preach couldn't have been listening to him.
Monday morning, Clive Urquhart shared a powerful message and then we broke into groups for seminars. The night speaker was Andy Elmes who shared a powerful and funny message on Gideon. He shared another, equally powerful message the next morning. That night's speaker was Russ Evans. He preached a very good message in the morning already but the message he had for the night session just blows my mind. It was so great, I thought that that was the climax of Audacious and that tomorrow would be a sort of winding down session.
Boy, was I wrong. Russ Evans and Dave Gilpin preached in the morning and both messages were equally awesome. And then came the final session with Russ Evans. His message that night was incredibly moving and definitely made Audacious end on a high.
Throughout the entire 5 days, the sessions just got better and better, the worship also went from better to better and the entertainment also went from strength to strength. The whole experience was so excellent in so many ways, I can't name highlight. Audacious is basically the highlight for me. For once, I can't think of a single time during Audacious that was bad. I really can't, no joke.
It was awesome participating in the sessions. Equally awesome was helping out in the accomodation team. It was a little boring and tiring standing along the route marked out for the delegates but it's so good helping out. A small girl even gave me a candy on the 3rd night! How much cooler can it get?
I also tried reverse bungee. For those who have no idea on what it is (which included me until I saw the monster contraption!), they basically strap you in a small cage and then launch you into the sky like a catapult. Only thing is, the ropes will hold you and instead of flying off into the sky, you get pulled back down to the ground. The ride was cool, the view from up there was great but the 'best' view is when the ball rotates you so you're looking at the ground, you're off the chair so you have a weightless feeling (plus feeling like there's nothing holding on to you!) and you start dropping like a stone. Heh.
Audacious stands out for me in another way as well. In my case, I never knew what was coming up next in Audacious until moments before it was to happen. I only found out about what I was doing on the accomodation team the night before the event. I didn't plan my afternoon free time but still end up doing something good. I did the reverse bungee without even knowing how it is like. And last of all, some of the speakers were changed at the last minute as well. What's so mind-blowing is that the best time of my life was done almost completely ad hoc.
In many ways, I feel Audacious is my 'graduation' into what God has in store for me next. He has closed a chapter of my life and has open the next one. The first 3 days of Audacious, He pointed me in the right direction, the last 2, He changed and equipped me to take the next step. From this moment, I can go forth and claim the future that God has promised for me with confidence.
P.S. Though I did say in my Round Up I had some posts left to post, it's highly likely that it's never going to be posted. Everything I wanted to say in those posts have been summed up by this one.
For as long as I can remember, my church has been hyping up Audacious. Everyone who talks about it says it's really good and not to be missed. Kinda makes you wonder whether it can live up to the hype, doesn't it? Plus, it cost me 90 pounds and I heard that not many people from my church signed up for it.
Well, now that I've experience it for myself, I can definitely tell you that it's not only lives up to the hype, but exceeds it. The experience and the knowledge that I gain from it is priceless. Now, I'll probably be one of those who will hype up next year's Audacious which will be held in 2 cities, one after another! Woohoo!!
Let me just say this, the entire conference just got better, and better. It started on Saturday night and Glyn was speaking. I forgot my notepad so I couldn't take notes but his preach was powerful. The next day was awesome as well. Mark Ritchie spoke during the night session and he was so funny! Anyone who wasn't laughing at some point during his preach couldn't have been listening to him.
Monday morning, Clive Urquhart shared a powerful message and then we broke into groups for seminars. The night speaker was Andy Elmes who shared a powerful and funny message on Gideon. He shared another, equally powerful message the next morning. That night's speaker was Russ Evans. He preached a very good message in the morning already but the message he had for the night session just blows my mind. It was so great, I thought that that was the climax of Audacious and that tomorrow would be a sort of winding down session.
Boy, was I wrong. Russ Evans and Dave Gilpin preached in the morning and both messages were equally awesome. And then came the final session with Russ Evans. His message that night was incredibly moving and definitely made Audacious end on a high.
Throughout the entire 5 days, the sessions just got better and better, the worship also went from better to better and the entertainment also went from strength to strength. The whole experience was so excellent in so many ways, I can't name highlight. Audacious is basically the highlight for me. For once, I can't think of a single time during Audacious that was bad. I really can't, no joke.
It was awesome participating in the sessions. Equally awesome was helping out in the accomodation team. It was a little boring and tiring standing along the route marked out for the delegates but it's so good helping out. A small girl even gave me a candy on the 3rd night! How much cooler can it get?
I also tried reverse bungee. For those who have no idea on what it is (which included me until I saw the monster contraption!), they basically strap you in a small cage and then launch you into the sky like a catapult. Only thing is, the ropes will hold you and instead of flying off into the sky, you get pulled back down to the ground. The ride was cool, the view from up there was great but the 'best' view is when the ball rotates you so you're looking at the ground, you're off the chair so you have a weightless feeling (plus feeling like there's nothing holding on to you!) and you start dropping like a stone. Heh.
Audacious stands out for me in another way as well. In my case, I never knew what was coming up next in Audacious until moments before it was to happen. I only found out about what I was doing on the accomodation team the night before the event. I didn't plan my afternoon free time but still end up doing something good. I did the reverse bungee without even knowing how it is like. And last of all, some of the speakers were changed at the last minute as well. What's so mind-blowing is that the best time of my life was done almost completely ad hoc.
In many ways, I feel Audacious is my 'graduation' into what God has in store for me next. He has closed a chapter of my life and has open the next one. The first 3 days of Audacious, He pointed me in the right direction, the last 2, He changed and equipped me to take the next step. From this moment, I can go forth and claim the future that God has promised for me with confidence.
P.S. Though I did say in my Round Up I had some posts left to post, it's highly likely that it's never going to be posted. Everything I wanted to say in those posts have been summed up by this one.
Graduation
This is a summary of all events from my last post until graduation. Events after graduation is wayyy too long and wayyyy more important to put in this.
Right, off we go! My parents arrived on Thursday, the 14th of July. Interestingly, a lot of parents were arriving on the same flight. Seems any flight after that will be more expensive. Hhahaha... we, the students all blur....
On Friday, we went to STA to book a trip up to Scotland but unluckily (or as I see it, a blessing in disguise) Tiger Woods was up there for a tournament. So, ALL the hotels were fully booked. Aishh... But, as I said, it's good in a way also coz could bring my parents see more places and they manage to visit my church!
Anyway, we spent Friday just shopping in the city centre. On Saturday, went to Liverpool to visit the Beatle's Museum. They provided a speaker thingy that narrates each part of the museum as you go along it. So you can follow the life story of the Beatle's at your own leisure pace. After that, we took the right bus but in the wrong direction so ended up having a bus journey to nowhere. Due to that, couldn't go to Anfield but then again, the only stadium worth visiting would be Old Trafford!! Hahahaaha.... Anyways, in the end just went to see the Chinatown arch and then went back. That arch is suppose to be the biggest arch outside of China.
On Sunday, took my parents to Hope City Church! They found it okay which is good. Then, took them on a tram ride all the way to Halfway and back. For the non-Sheffieldians (is that even a word?) Halfway is the one of the 5 end points on the tram line. It was a nice ride since it's up the hilll. You can see over a lot of Sheffield from there.
We went to Manchester the next day. Only went to Old Trafford since there's nothing else of interest that I know of there. Walked throught the Museum and took a guided tour around the stadium. Very informative. Even manage to buy some knick knacks.
Tuesday, went to York. We first went to the York Cathedral. It was a very good trip because they had a free tour inside. Finally, I knew what is there to see in a cathedral. Plus, York Cathedral has a very fascinating history. We then had a quick lunch and then went to Clifford Tower. The tower used to be part of a castle built there long, long ago (duh!). After that, we walked on the City walls (not beside it, really on it!) back to the train station. Had a little time before the next train so we also visited the Railway Museum nearby. It was near closing time bt since it's free admission, we went for it anyways. Got to see the Bullet Train so it was good.
On Wednesday, I took them to see my university and did a little shopping. Nothing much. And then Thursday was the graduation. The ceremony itself was quite short, only an hour and a half long. Spent the rest of the time taking photos with friends and parents all around the union and at Firth Park.
Went back to the Union the next day to take pictures with the law graduate friends. Then, went with my parents to Manchester Airport and sent them off. Met a friend there though. And that's what has been happening until graduation! Next post: Audacious!
Right, off we go! My parents arrived on Thursday, the 14th of July. Interestingly, a lot of parents were arriving on the same flight. Seems any flight after that will be more expensive. Hhahaha... we, the students all blur....
On Friday, we went to STA to book a trip up to Scotland but unluckily (or as I see it, a blessing in disguise) Tiger Woods was up there for a tournament. So, ALL the hotels were fully booked. Aishh... But, as I said, it's good in a way also coz could bring my parents see more places and they manage to visit my church!
Anyway, we spent Friday just shopping in the city centre. On Saturday, went to Liverpool to visit the Beatle's Museum. They provided a speaker thingy that narrates each part of the museum as you go along it. So you can follow the life story of the Beatle's at your own leisure pace. After that, we took the right bus but in the wrong direction so ended up having a bus journey to nowhere. Due to that, couldn't go to Anfield but then again, the only stadium worth visiting would be Old Trafford!! Hahahaaha.... Anyways, in the end just went to see the Chinatown arch and then went back. That arch is suppose to be the biggest arch outside of China.
On Sunday, took my parents to Hope City Church! They found it okay which is good. Then, took them on a tram ride all the way to Halfway and back. For the non-Sheffieldians (is that even a word?) Halfway is the one of the 5 end points on the tram line. It was a nice ride since it's up the hilll. You can see over a lot of Sheffield from there.
We went to Manchester the next day. Only went to Old Trafford since there's nothing else of interest that I know of there. Walked throught the Museum and took a guided tour around the stadium. Very informative. Even manage to buy some knick knacks.
Tuesday, went to York. We first went to the York Cathedral. It was a very good trip because they had a free tour inside. Finally, I knew what is there to see in a cathedral. Plus, York Cathedral has a very fascinating history. We then had a quick lunch and then went to Clifford Tower. The tower used to be part of a castle built there long, long ago (duh!). After that, we walked on the City walls (not beside it, really on it!) back to the train station. Had a little time before the next train so we also visited the Railway Museum nearby. It was near closing time bt since it's free admission, we went for it anyways. Got to see the Bullet Train so it was good.
On Wednesday, I took them to see my university and did a little shopping. Nothing much. And then Thursday was the graduation. The ceremony itself was quite short, only an hour and a half long. Spent the rest of the time taking photos with friends and parents all around the union and at Firth Park.
Went back to the Union the next day to take pictures with the law graduate friends. Then, went with my parents to Manchester Airport and sent them off. Met a friend there though. And that's what has been happening until graduation! Next post: Audacious!
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