Okay blog. MSN's grounded for the next few weeks. You have a job to do cause you have to replace an odd 30 or so friends and colleagues I often communicate and connect with throughou the week. That includes all of the rants, friendship, sharing and other gay crap I'm good for. Don't worry, Facebook will be your quarter back and hopefull the ball doesn't reach that far back.

Bring out that lonerism that used to be in me on this pseudo-cyber reality. Hopefully my actual reality will be more enriched. Hopefully..

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This has been the crappiest week I had in a long long time.

Lost 45 bucks. Must've feel off somewhere when I was rushing at work. 
Monash account got suspended (BitComet was accidentally on when I used my laptop).
My boss hasn't paid me for the THIRD round (6 weeks worth, excluding 13.5 hours he missed out on another occasion).
And other things too personal to mention.

I'm not usually the type that bitches about my loss and pains, but this week.. it's just been too much to take. Sigh.

I choose to stand for You no matter how crappy things may be and no matter how I feel. Help me stay focused and grounded in faith.

 

Creation – Are events which didn’t exist before “now” and is continuous dynamic process.

If that is “creation” then the act of creation are causal events which lead to a “yet-to-exist event” to unfold.

We can create things simply through thoughts, to actions, be it subtle or extreme. It may be as subtle as a simple smile that creates a sense of warmth from the person receiving the smile and satisfaction for the one sending it, among other created stimulus. Dynamic forms of creation, in its literal form, can be artistic designs where the act of mixing colours, brush types and the inspirations from the artist leading up to art piece – which in itself creates awe and wonder among those who view it (assuming it’s a good piece of artwork).

People often relate acts of creation to new things like inventions, making something and other forms of creation. One needs to realize that creation is not restricted to the new, but to the old as well. Every event is a consequence of another and can affect other multiple events directly and indirectly.

Even destroying, can lead to creating something new. Reflections to the past produces new thoughts and consequence actions for the future. A thought and fresh perspective can create something new in the past.

The concept of causality (cause and effect) can be applied here as acts leading to creation is the result of a certain event – even if the “event” “does not happen”. Therefore, is most respects the act of creation is everything we do (and do not do) and everything that happens (and does not happen) – everything.

Creation is an axiom of events which makes up and defines life.

Acts of creation is life itself.

 

Observation

The grand master of creation – God. All events and actions are mediated by Him, cause He is the only one ablet to oversee "everything". It’s a complicated process (like duh) no human can trace completely and can only be in controlled by the ONE.

"You stood before creation
Eternity in Your hand
You spoke the earth into motion
My soul now to stand"
- Verse 1, The Stand by Hillsong

 

 

Always, without fail, without a single doubt, betting on every single penny and all the other metaphors to describe extreme unquestionable certainty - everytime I'm home = I'll be on MSN.

OCF came up with with a 30 day prayer and fasting for E-Night (which also conincides with the 40 day prayer and fasting for the combined Christian groups in uni). We believe fasting (taking away something of need) will increase our dependence on Him and also to make our cries heard.. hence the fast for several occasions, primarily on revival.

For this occasion, I've decided to fast MSN. It's by far the hardest thing for me to do, making the rest seem like peanuts. So, no MSN for the next 30 days.... hmm..

May my soul rest in peace.

And let Christ live within.

A couple of weekends ago, my OCF Clayton CG went to Lakes Entrace (9/8-10/8) for a simple chillax time. Nine of us made the gang, with 2 and a half hours drive from Clayton to our destination. Why's it called Lakes Entrance? Cause it's an entrance to the lake from the sea. Ok, I'm just guessing. But it might be true. 

The big lakes are pretty much cut off from the sea, and the only entrance point is at Lakes Entrance. 

This trip almost didn't happen. I tried booking a place for us 4 days before the day. I expected there to be tons of vacancies as it wasn't peak season. Lakes Entrance is an ideal spot to visit in the summer. Now it's too darn cold to hit the beach. Anyway, my ideal spot was a beach house, right in front of the sea. The first things you see and hear when you wake up in the morning are the waves crashing into the fragile sand. Sunrise. You get the idea.

But it wasn't as easy as I thought.. minimum stay for these houses are two nights when we would really be staying for just one night... location difficulties (I didn't wanna settle for a place without my beach!).. price difficulties. Argh! We only managed to secure a place about 12 hours before we were due to leave at this place called Heyfield Motels. It had an apartment and is located right at the heart of town. Unfortunately, I didn't get my wave splashing environment.

We set off from Clayton at 10am after a few delays, which were mostly my fault. The drive was easy.. a straight drive along the M1 to the A1. Almost didn't need a map. The nine of us consist of Elisa, Aun Ling, Leigh, Sue Ann, Yasmeen, Lynette, Marc, Robin and myself. We got there close to 1pm. First thing was to check-in to the motel and unload our stuff. Then we roamed around town, grabbing a fish and chips lunch along the way.

The town itself was a simple and humble place. It's basically a fishing village, which tourist find attractive for it's awing scenary. The place was beautiful, though I need to say the pictures are abit deceiving - it's not as posh as it looks.. it's more simple. But okay, go wow at the pictures. Taken by Yasmeen.

 

Before sundown we hanged out quite abit at the beach. We wanted to catch the sunset, but unfortunately we were on the wrong side of the country.

Now for some pictures with friends.

Left: "Sara" Leigh - Our Target Country supermodel! Right: Sue Ann - Miss admin and treasurer

Left: Lynette and me.. Right: Yasmeen and I all furred up.

Me posing with my CG leader, Elisa Mak

At night we got back to the apartments just to chill over dinner (bak kut teh) while watching the Olympics. We also talked quite abit.. though I crashed out before the juicy bits were discussed. Apparently Elisa took a video of me snoring. Darn~!

This is what I like about these getaways. We don't need to worry about anything till the trips over. Just being ourselves and having fun.  

Too bad I slept early cause I was too darn tired. The rest slept at 3-4am. So much for our idea to wake up in time for sunrise. Most of us got up at 10am, while I got up at 9am to prepare breakfast.

We played a round of mini-golf at a nearby mini-golf course, with the fee of $6 bucks for 24 holes. Quite fun, something I've not tried before.

  

After lunch we hired a boat. Didn't require a license. Just pure fun driving around the lake. We spent 2 hours in the lake, drinking champagne and chasing dolphins. Yes! Wild dolphins! Haven't seen those since standard 4. It was SO exciting! There was also a moment Matc needed to take a leak from the boat. Lol.. polluting the lake.

At 5.30pm, it was time to head home. It has been quite an experience worth every penny. And I gotta say.. I LOVE MY CELL!

OCF Clayton's "Gerizmos" in Lakes Entrance

 

For related entry, visit Elisa's blog.

My Fishing Tale!

My outing to Lakes Entrance was my 7th attempt to catch a fish in Australia. All previous attempts were insults in my face. But this time, my patience paid off. I caught a salmon! 22cm's long, barely clearing the legal size (in Australia, small fish must be released). The bait used was live shrimp.  

I'm quite glad I decided to bring my rod along, almost didn't happen. I caught the fish by chance. Was actually reeling up cause I didn't want the dolphins to eat my bait (not like they would've since prior to this nothing ever eats my bait anyway. but just a precaution). While reeling up the rod was twisted more than usual, the reel was ringing louder, but there was oddly no struggle. It was until I saw that marvelous flash of white in the water was I sure I caught something.

Imagine the joy! Man. I was like a kid screaming "Yes!!! Yesss!!!!". End of loosing streak!

What's become of the salmon within 24 hours. Yummy.

The capital of Australia - Canberra, is where the trio made out of Jon Raj, Andrew Ng and myself spent an entire day. Jon and Andrew needed to get their passports renewed while I was wanted to see as much as Australia as possible before I leave. It was the 6th of August 2008.

The city itself was nothing much to shout about though be must be noted for it's cleanliness and simplicity. There are no skyscrapers in Canberra, something I found to be really odd because skyscrappers define what a city is.

The planning of the place was excellent.. kinda something like what Melbourne's CBD's like, except that Canberra's a pentagonish (or is it a hecsagon? Hmm) shape. The proper city planning and being the administrative capital reminded me of Putrajaya (Malaysia's administrative capital), except that Canberra is conceptualised a century ago unlike Putrajaya which is yet to hit it's first decade.

Canberra's also where all the embassies and high comms were.

The three of us left Southern Cross the previous night at 9pm. The Greyhound service was one of the few headed up that direction. We got there around 7pm and immediately tried to work our way to the Malaysian embassy.

While hunting for our embassy we had a chance to view the embassies of other countries, namely UK, Finland, Indonesia, Singapore, US and others. China's was the biggest. Could kinda tell they wanted to show off. Malaysia's embassy is located the furthest away from everyone else. And I gotta say, if weren't for PNG and another country, the Malaysian embassy would be the ugliest. So much for my Malaysian patriotism.

Took a few hours for the other two to get their things done, and we still had to return to collect the passports. So we went around, the shopping complex, the national science center nd most notable - the Australian Parliament or Parliament House.

Panoramic view from Parliament House

The brain of Australia, Parliament House is located on (and in, literally) a hill with massive boulevards. It's made out of two houses - the Senate and the House of Representatives.

 
Messing around on Parliament House and another one for "great places I slept at".

Me in the Australian House of Representatives (blue room) and the Senate (red room).

Honestly, the whole place felt more like a musuem or exhibition room than a place of administration. Oh well, not like I've been to the Malaysian Parliament anyway.

 

Here's a pop quiz question - Who are these chair's for (the two behind the front chair)? Jon and Andrew guessed it's for the speaker or chairman and his/her deputy. But, no.

It's for the Sovereign, or the Queen (or King, depending on who's alive and on top of the ladder). The smaller chair is for the consort.

 

Our day grew shorter as we headed back to collect Jon's passports and Andrew's official documents.

Left: Jon being the loving boyfriend. Right: Voon being the "friend"
Having fun at the science center.

Waiting for the bus we ate at this wonderful cakeshop (oh geez, I forgot the name) before the 9 hour bus ride back to Melbourne. Thanks Andrew for the pictures!

Falls Creek is one of the few Alpine mountains located North of Melbourne. It's pretty much in the same area as Mt Buller, Mt Hortham and the other great snow cap mountains.

Last year several of us were at Buller and I personally had one interest experience which I would die to have again. Snowboarding - everyone must try it. However, a change of venue would be excellent, hence Falls Creek.

It was a grueling 6 hour drive from Clayton to the mountain, making only one stop for chains and permits (excluding that emergency peeing stop Jem and I made near Waranggata). We left Clayton at 3am sharp. Before we left, there was a slight incident where Jinghui forgot to turn off her phone's silent mode and she was one of my passengers. So my morning calls didn't work. I became so desperate I actually took chairs over to her house and climbed over the fence. Glad I did. Nothing's gonna postpone my fun! In the end she counted 20 miss calls, but I seriously believe I made 50. Oh well, all in good fun.

So Jingjui, Nori and Sue Ann made up the passengers of UNS 989 (that's my car). 3am and off we go. The roads took us up the Hume Highway, with a turn off at Waranggata into the Great Alpine Road. The drive along the road was probably beautiful.. just that it was dark and we couldn't see anything scenic for the most of the trip. Oh well.

Me on one of the Skii Lifts

Falls Creek was beuatiful. The runs were prettier and more natural. The snow was softer. And I mean really soft. Apparently it was the heaviest fall of snow they had in years. The local Aussies called it bad weather. Me? What a Godsend! The snow was so soft we were actually able to imprint our faces on.

Despite a 6 hour drive (arriving at 9 plus), we only really begun the day around 12pm, having hunting around for the cheapest rental shops for our gear, lunch and tip toeing in the snow. I guess the wait was worth it, monetarily. We paid almost 50 bucks less than the others also on Falls Creek. Once the day was started, it was pretty much slides, falls and the usual thrill associated with snowboarding.

 
Making our own breakfast and hotchoc from our mobile restaurant. Lol. Show how tight our budget was.

So many events not updated yet. Falls Creek - Canberra - Lakes Entrance. Will get to that as soon as I get pictures for the first two events. For the time being, here's something.

 

Instructions: Remove 1 question from below, and add in your personal question, make it a total of 20 questions, then tag 8 people in your list, list them out at the end of this post. Notify them in their chat box that he/she has been tagged.

1. At what age do you wish to marry?
Earliest 27. Latest 33.

2. What is your most favourite thing to do?
Thinking.

3. If you have a close close close friend since childhood who loves to take away whatever you like, including guys/girls, and he/she always wins, will you still consider him/her your friend?
Yes I guess. Who said we can't share? Don't think my friends are just "mine".

4. What would you give up in return to eat all you want in the world and not get fat?
Time - the only thing you need to give to do the above.

5. Is there someone in your heart right now?
Literally - no. Lol.

6. Do you believe you can survive without money?
Haven't tried. But I believe I can. It's just money anyway. But don't think I can survive without food.

7. What are you afraid to lose the most?
Heart.

8. What do you feel like doing, right now?
Sleep..

9. If there's someone that you love, would you confess to him/her?
Yea.... All part of being the guy, ha.

10. List out 3 good points of the person who tagged you.
Philosophical. Enthusiastic. Adventurous.

11. What are the requirements that you wish from your other half?
Love. A woman after God's heart. And everything else will fall into place

12. What is the thing that will make you think he/she is bad?
Neglect..? But that won't happen if there's love I guess.  

13. What would you do if you cannot get what you want in life?
Have faith.

14. What do you think 'Love' is?
Selfless. Pure. Amplifying. Godly.  

15. If you had a choice to be rich or happy, which one would you pick?
Happy.

16. If you have a chance, which part of your character you would like to change?
Laziness and pride.

17. What is the one thing you love about yourself?
My stubbornness. (Babi-ness)

18. How do you see yourself in 10 years time?
Executive Secretary, BBM. Leading BB to a whole new level. Leading many youths to the Lord. And still addicted to computer games and mamak.

19. Is there a specific song that can describe your current mood?
None. I'm moodless now. Lol.

20. If you had 24 hours to do anything, anything at all in the world, whether it be realistically possible, what would it be?
Try to convince everyone closest to me that Jesus is the only way!

8 person whom I tag:
Xin Wei
Darryn Chiew
Elisa Mak
Yeong Sue Ann
Ivie Tan
Ang Chin Wee (you're like my most frequent visitor buddy)
Alicia Choy
Sis

One essay due in 23 hours. Current progress at 1%. Why do I love digging graves? Oh well.