15.4.08
The keys I like are black and white.
I've made this statement on more than one ocassion, but right now I'm making it again because I've just gotten reaquianted with this wonderful 88-toned instrument and satisfied my itching hands. Played the keyboards for the worship team at OCF on friday, and boy was it amazing. I've always wanted to make use of my musical ability to serve in a church, and now I've finally been granted an opportunity to. The first experience was exciting, and yet nerve wrecking. Wasn't sure if I'd practiced enough; whether my efforts were worthy enough of Him. Kept telling myself that I didn't have to be afraid because it was all dedicated to Him and thus He will take care of how well it goes, but of course human nature still gnawed at me some way or another.
I was comforted that night though, that indeed He was pleased with my service. He would have been pleased with any effort at all, as long as it was all for His glory.
Ps. Dear cousin, I've just started reading Passion and Purity, the tranquil-looking light purple book you gave me on my 21st. Didn't realise that it was a book that Joshua Harris drew inspiration from. Seems more than a coincidence then, that I actually reciprocated and presented you with Boy Meets Girl on your 21st :) God does work in miraculous ways, doesn't He?
i fluttered by;
10:20 PM
10.4.08
Unfolding the rose.
A young, new preacher was walking with an older, more seasoned preacher in the garden one day. Feeling a bit insecure about what God had for him to do, he was asking the older preacher for some advice. The older preacher walked up to a rosebush and handed the young preacher a rosebud and told him to open it without tearing off any petals. The young preacher looked in disbelief at the older preacher and was trying to figure out what a rosebud could possibly have to do with his wanting to know the will of God for his life and ministry.
But because of his great respect for the older preacher, he proceeded to try to unfold the rose, while keeping every petal intact. It wasn't long before he realized how impossible this was to do.Noticing the younger preacher's inability to unfold the rosebud without tearing it, the older preacher began to recite the following poem:
It is only a tiny rosebud,
A flower of God's design;
But I cannot unfold the petals
With these clumsy hands of mine.
The secret of unfolding flowers
Is not known to such as I.
GOD opens this flower so sweetly,
Then, in my hands, they die.
If I cannot unfold a rosebud,
This flower of God's design,
Then how can I have the wisdom
To unfold this life of mine?
So I'll trust in Him for leading
Each moment of my day.
I will look to Him for His guidance
Each step of the pilgrim way.
The pathway that lies before me,
Only my Heavenly Father knows.
I'll trust Him to unfold the moments,
Just as He unfolds the rose.
i fluttered by;
8:49 PM
The brother's going in for BMT tomorrow, taking that step into manhood. So I thought I'd better commemorate this day with a few silly photos we'd taken a few years back. For I may not get any more similar incriminating evidence in time to come :) And when better to put these up than right before he goes in; where I will not be berated at for my actions for at least 9 weeks :))
From left to right starting from the top:
1) Poke!
2) Poke YOU back.
3) Stunned.
4) Now who's grumpy?
5) Ghostly.
6) In true Russell Peter's style.
I must say I'm thankful for all the times we've shared together. And even though I won't be as sad as dad and mum who've been enjoying your presence in the house (I hope!), your going in does mean there'd be no more late night chats and silly video skyping!! That's not good for my sanity. So get excited, get prepared, go in, go hard, and get out of there quick! :) I'd probably see you right when you get out, so that's something to look forward to. Meanwhile, take care in there because I'm going to miss you, bro!
i fluttered by;
12:04 PM
4.4.08
Adelaide, adelaide, adelaide!!
Been procrastinating to put up this post because I figured that I had to give it the amount of effort it deserved, and it definitely wouldn't get that while I had assignments on my mind. So here I am sitting down to type it after feeling satisfied that I've finally handed in my CAT, only to realise that the post-holiday euphoria has subsided and hence I can only type quite subdued-ly.
Nonetheless, this road trip to Adelaide has been so wonderful, it has changed my whole opinion of Adelaide being a slow town and not a destination of choice. Well indeed it was a slow town and we managed to tour the city in just one day, but then Glenelg, this beachtown where we stayed at, just along the city outskirts, granted Adelaide quite some brownie points. Shops (including fashion outlets) actually open till 11 pm there (a true rarity in Australia)!! Not to mention it gave us lots of opportunities to go down to the beach and camwhore while the sun set right behind us.
We did manage to do quite some bit of feasting as well on the trip. Hunted down some awesome eateries like Fish Out Of Water (this I highly recommend; it has one of the best fish I've ever tasted, at extremely affordable prices) and Spatz (great for late-night coffees!). Managed to grab some Haigh's chocolate too, straight from the factory. Oooh, their Easter eggs are also one of the best I've tasted (especially if you like really creamy chocolate!).
The trip was made more than exciting for the bunch of four of us, due to near-death experiences at Kangaroo Island. The Kangaroos there are simply suicidal (being attracted to the car's headlights when we stupidly, unknowingly, unwillingly but yet [no choice] had to drive at night). They would jump out from the dark bushes straight into the car's projected line of travel. I had to drive with the high beam, place my hand on the honk ready for action/reaction, and be super alerted by any inconsistencies on the gravel road (while all the time willing them not to peek out from any dark corners). I almost had a heart attack from one episode where I swerved, and I think the passengers in my car were positively shaken. This was verified by Mel's intermittent squeaks and statements of 'Kangaroo!!', 'Dead kangaroo' or 'BUSH' (trust me, the bushes do look like curled up kangaroos and were really irritating false alarms). It was then we realised why we witnessed so many tragic remains of carcasses during our daytime travel to the scenic spots (not to mention dented car bumbers).
Other than that, Kangaroo Island was indeed a must-see for anyone travelling to Adelaide. The Remarkable Rocks at Flinders Chase National Park was truly.. remarkable. And we had really close encounters with seals at the Seal Bay too (which was delightful, for the Park Ranger said it was an anomaly for the seals to behave so amourously toward us visitors). We tasted pure Ligurian honey, whose only pure strain left in the world is found in Kangaroo Island. We sandboarded at Little Sahara - these untainted sand dunes on the island. Ahhh, there's so much more, let me continue by letting the pictures do the talking!!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/80235451@N00/sets/72157604382744631/
A closeup of the Northern Lights: An art initiative by the University of Adelaide (lights were shone on the Uni's buildings to create different feels and effects, giving the building a different character each time!) Found this really creative, and certain designs added to the majesty and magnificence of the building. I'm not sure if the details can be seen, but I loved the one with the musical notes :)
i fluttered by;
3:45 PM