everyday is christmas
so I have presents everyday.
everyday is my birthday
so I can have wishes everyday.


my cell group
bernard
carmen
ddrew
jiahui
jiahui ng
jiawen
jimmy
kahkeong
keith
li ping
matthew
peifang
roger
shihui
shiya
xiwei
zhiwei

Designer Basecodes
AdobePhotoshop

Archives:
November 2008 December 2008 January 2009 February 2009 March 2009 April 2009 May 2009

:D
ERIC LIM
1july.
love everyone!

Would like to continue the series of "How do you know you are getting Old?"

How do you know you are getting Old?

When you go to Long John Silver to order Combo 1, you give the cashier $4 and she says that it is not enough.

How do you know you are getting Old?

When you go to supermarket, they tell you that they do not accept 1 cent anymore.

How do you know you are getting Old?

When you find yourself complaining about yet another gst or transportation price hike.

How do you know you are getting Old?

When you notice more and more structures that hurt your wallets when you drive on the roads.

How do you know you are getting Old?

When you find yourself having to top up your cash cards more and more often.

How do you know you are getting Old?

When with 50 cents you can no longer buy ice cream cone from Mac Donalds

How do you know you are getting Old?

When Man City wins the title. (If ever)

How do you know you are getting Old? (The classic one)

When policeman is wearing pants now instead of shorts

How do you know you are getting Old?

When you read this and you are nodding in agreement

Hope that brings a smile to you. Merry Christmas.....

This is what Daniel Lee want me to include:

Haha, and I have you to thank eternally for being the change agent in my life, without you I would never be where I am today. For that I am forever grateful. I was thinking about what it really means to have a worthwhile life, and I concluded this morning that there is something more precious than money, and all the riches of this world - our friendships with one another. So I'm going to save a piece of all the memorable experiences that I have with my friends, so that I'll forever remember you all. =P

My reply:

Thanks for your kind words for me. Well, thats what friends are for, we are there for each other and help each other achieve our dreams. That's why I'm sure that our friendship will last forever!

This happened yesterday while coming back from hospital on a taxi with my dad. Some taxi drivers are chatty and taxi drivers somehow appear to be the most knowledgeable occupation in the world. Hmmm.... perhaps to the average person that hop onto the taxi.

Anyway, from the time we stepped into the taxi, the driver tried to engage my dad to a conversation. Somehow the conversation manage to find its way to criticising the government. Then the taxi driver complained of how the government is taking our money and how life is so meaningless in Singapore. Through his complains of the government, he gave some evidence that appear sound on the surface. I think after 5 sentences from him, my dad has already switched off and the conversation has became a mono-sation. My dad was now no longer following the conversation and was only trying to be courteous by nodding his head in agreement from time to time.

Though the taxi driver's argument might sound reasonable on the surface and most people might even agree with him and let out their grievances. Then at that point in time I was reminded of these famous words:

"Ask Not What Your Country Can Do For" John F. Kennedy, 1961

Well I was thinking that we all should be grateful that we are living in a place called Singapore and not Somalia. We all have a roof on top of us when we sleep and have food to eat when we are hungry. Was it not to quite a large extend that our government provided with us these basic needs and also gave us a fair chance to live our dreams in this nation. My point is, count your blessings and if you can make this world a better place, do it!

Was at the supermarket today. While queuing up at the cashier, I observe the person infront of me trying to buy cigarettes. He told the cashier which type he wants, then out of nowhere I heard a another voice giving the cashier clearer instructions on which cigarette he wants. This boy looked barely 15 and it was quite clear that he asked the uncle in front me to buy the cigarettes for him.

Seeing such a sight, I felt so sad for him and his future. How I wished I was some top notch social worker that could just walk straight up to him at that moment in time and talk to him and at the end of the conversation make him admit that buying the cigarettes was a mistake and make him promise not to do it again. Yeah guess I watch too much TV. Well, me being me, I did nothing except to give that boy a shocked glance.

After leaving the supermarket, I saw that boy walking towards his group of friends, all around his age and he shared his "purchases" with them. At that point in time, I felt so bad. Its like I feel that their whole life might have now gone down the drain. All the great things that is purposed in their life could not be accomplished if they continue this lifestyle. Thus the society is being deprieved of a potentially great sportsmen, businessmen, engineer, doctor, celebrity........ Well, you can argue that you would not know their, but I believe that if they channel their energies and focus on what they are good at, they'll have a great future.

All I could do now is only to pray for them that they would not go down the same path that many of their friends have taken. Feel so bad that I could not do anything for them. Let's love these people and do our best to try to make a difference to people around us whose life's purpose is in danger.

After a few post from monkey and penguin, it is time for me to take centre stage in my blog again. Its back to me blogging again. Since last week, my dad was hospitalised after an operation. I was thinking that through this incident, I discovered a couple of things about my friends.


First was daniel lee. After knowing that I'll be camping in hospital with my dad, he took time off his busy schedule to visit me. Was really touched when he came to visit me as after spending the whole day at the hospital, I was energise by his visit. The next day, I had to do an event for Uni-Y but had to be in hospital to look after my dad. What happened is that I was not able to get people to help me with the event. Only Eunice was able to come down that night and it was not enough, would at least need another person to help out in the event. After not being able to find people to help me out, I was quite dejected that night and I began to cast doubts if I know anyone that can be considered my friend. So before I went to sleep, out of desperation, I smsed daniel liew to asked if he could help me out. Secretly I was wondering if he could pass this test of friendship. To my pleasant surprise, he called me the next morning and promised to help me that night without any hesitation. Heaving a sigh of relieve, I thank God that my friends did not fail me when I needed them the most. Fast forwarded to this morning, I was pleasantly surprise when alan called to tell me that he's coming to visit me in hospital. When Alan turned up with breakfast and chichken essence for my dad, I was deeply touched. Next, I was touched when zhi wei came down all the way to chua chu kang to support me upon hearing that I'll be sharing my testimony to my cell group today. What is amazing is that I know that travelling and inconvenience is something that zhi wei doesn't like and he actually overcomed it just to support me. I'm really touched.

I was reminded of this verse:
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'
"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'
"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

(Matthew 25: 36 - 40)

What I want to say is that thanks so much for meeting my practical needs at the right time. I will remember this and will be a true friend to you!

What an amazing week it has been. I have been from praying hard for my dad's operation to rejoicing at the wonderful friends that I have. What is really amazing is that these are my friends from SMU. SMU is supposed to be a highly competitive place and yet I am blessed with these amazing friends around me. These friends and my cell group members are simply my biggest supporters on earth.

But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. (Proverbs 18:24)

Though you are not my brother (as in brother brother), you have choose to stick to me like a brother. Once again thanks so much!

Monkey: Hey Penguin, who is more intelligent children or adult?
Penguin: I know its a trick question. I'm going to say children, beacuse they could solve problem sums that some adults have formulated that they are not able to solve.
Monkey: Nice try. The answer is that they are both as intelligent. Though adults know more, they are set back by bad experience and habits when making decisions. Which would cause them to sometimes appear to make not so intelligent decisions.

Bibliography
Wartella, M. (2007). The Innocence of Children. Retrieved from: http://friendsofreality.org/ESSAYS/BEYOND_EGO/RIGHT-BRAIN_LEFT-BRAIN/Innocence_of_Children/innocence_of_children.html

Monkey: Hey Penguin, do you know why children have dreams while adult's dreams are dead?
Penguin: Because children sleep more than adults?
Monkey: No! Because children are God's gift to adults to revive their dreams.

Penguin: Hey Monkey, do you know why children wish that there was Santa Cluas?
Monkey: So that they could get presents on christmas?
Penguin: No because they are children.

Just checked for the results of one of my modules on thursday. To my horror I got a C+. Thats the worst grade I ever had so far in my smu life. Upon realisation, I was of course sad and feeling lost. How could I get C+, I asked myself.

Why God did not help me. I asked. Then I was reminded of the story of Daniel in the bible. When he was thrown into the lion's den because of his test of faith, he entered in with total conviction that he was doing the right thing. He was even ready to enter into it even if God does not deliver him from the lions. Hence, he was even willing to die for his own faith. Then I told God, God I'm with you. I will continue to trust you and continue to serve you while in school even though I may not get good results but then, you know that I'm willing to do that right. So please do not test me in this area. Then I was reminded of one of the things that was said to me during this semester. Yihan said that even though your GPA is bad and life might seem gloomy to you, BUT God has said to you that he has a GREAT FUTURE for you. That alone is enough for you to be confident in your future. Cos no matter what happens, no matter how bad life is turning out to be right now, I can be assured of a good future if I trust in God.

Why everyone has a great future? I was asked by someone during bible study. I told him God created everyone differently for different purpose. Everyone's purpose though may be different but all of us are meant to do good works. (Ephesians 2:10) So if everyone's purpose is to do good works, then God's purpose for everyone must be good in the first place.

Bottomline: Though my GPA might suck, I still have faith that God will make a way for me to have a great future.
Doesn't mean I can slack and allow God to bring me to my future but let every step I walk be guided by God and give my all in everything I do.

Last saturday, went on msn and was greeted by a "hi" from mark. Well long time never talk to him might as well take the chance to talk to him.

Then he asked me how was I? That was 2 days after exams for me. So I said:" Alright. Just finished exams."

Next Mark asked me how was my exams. Feeling not very confident that I can get good results I answered:"Well, could have been better."

Then Mark said something astonishing: "The bible says those who sow in tears will reap with tears of joy"

Though I wasn't reading these words for the first time, it suddenly became meaning to me and convicted me. My goodness I put so much effort and sacrifices for God in the past semester and all these I have done in tears. Surely I should have more faith in myself that I can do well. Of course things done cannot be undone but I should have more faith in God from the past miracle experience from God. I should have more faith in myself that I can do well. Have been constantly telling people to have more faith and encouraging others. Back to myself I should have more faith in my own things.

Thanks Mark for the timely encouragement.