Hello readers!
I'm moving. Yes, I am. I'm leaving Chow Ern's room and settling down in the one across hers. Now, I have the study room to myself. I get to have an air-con, a tiny computer, a radio, and two whole bookshelves! Is this great or what? I always wanted a room, but I never expected God to really let it be possible.
Now, I get to play my violin (Sarah) and hopefully, my dad's guitar (when he gives me lessons) in perfect PEACE.
However, I told my mom that I wanted to clean my own room myself. This means sweeping it everyday and mopping it (not everyday too, I hope). This is so that I don't get too dependant on Kakak.
To make sure that my room stays spick and span, all by myself! I have 5 special strategies to have a clean room without much effort. And I'm going to share them all with you.
1. Don't dirty it if you don't like cleaning it. The easiest way to keep the space between your walls clear of dirt is to leave dirt out of it. If you should bring a soiled PJ T-shirt in, clean it first. As for the books, I put them all behind glass cabinets so they don't get dusty. The tiny uncovered bookcase has a curtain attached to it. (Thanks, mom!)
2. Keep a Neat nature. The Law of Order is the law of preventing things from "vanishing". I make sure my clothes are neatly folded always just by not tossing them into the wardrobe. That way, I don't have to rummage through anything. Same goes to my books - my hundreds of books.
3. Strategy of arrangement. Lay things on your table that you use frequently. If you're not sure of a particular item, store it away at a position where it is easy to retrieve. (Ex: Don't put your once-in-a-week-take-out KH project hidden behind your old primary school memoirs.)
4. Quality, not quantity. Get good furniture so they hold you and your things well. (And so that they stand up straight and not slant)
5. Go rubbish go. If there is anything unworthy to be kept in your precious space - get rid of it. Don't keep trash. It'll only make the room smaller.
Well, that's it. Now, I've got to go. Bye!!!!
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Friday, January 16, 2009
Orchestral Instruments
Hello, readers! Glad that you all could take time to visit my blog!
Today, I have a straightforward list of instruments in an orchestra for those who are unfamiliar towards it.
Orchestral instruments can be divided into four kinds: String, woodwind, brass and percussion instruments (definite and indefinite pitch).
The string family include violin (soprano), viola (alto), cello (tenor) and double bass (bass). It has the largest number of players in an orchestra. And, no - a cello is not an overgrown violin. All four vary in size and methods of playing.
The woodwind family are, well, played with the mouth. There is the piccolo (highest sounding woodwind instrument), flute, oboe, English horn, clarinet, bassoon and saxophone. Modern flutes are made of metal. Reeds are parts of some wind instruments which vibrates to produce a sound.
We also have the brass instruments. There is the trumpet (soprano), French horn, cornet, trombone and tuba (lowest sounding member). Tenor trombone is the most important member in the trombone family.
Then, lastly, we have the percussion:
Definite pitch: Glockenspiel Indefinite pitch: Drums
Celesta Tambourine
Kettledrum Triangle
Xylophone Castanets
Dulcitone Cymbals
Tubular bells Gong
Marimba gong
Percussion instruments like the triangle, tambourine ... are considered unimportant as they do not play an important role in the orchestra.
There you have it - orchestra instruments in a nut case.
Ciao!
Today, I have a straightforward list of instruments in an orchestra for those who are unfamiliar towards it.
Orchestral instruments can be divided into four kinds: String, woodwind, brass and percussion instruments (definite and indefinite pitch).
The string family include violin (soprano), viola (alto), cello (tenor) and double bass (bass). It has the largest number of players in an orchestra. And, no - a cello is not an overgrown violin. All four vary in size and methods of playing.
The woodwind family are, well, played with the mouth. There is the piccolo (highest sounding woodwind instrument), flute, oboe, English horn, clarinet, bassoon and saxophone. Modern flutes are made of metal. Reeds are parts of some wind instruments which vibrates to produce a sound.
We also have the brass instruments. There is the trumpet (soprano), French horn, cornet, trombone and tuba (lowest sounding member). Tenor trombone is the most important member in the trombone family.
Then, lastly, we have the percussion:
Definite pitch: Glockenspiel Indefinite pitch: Drums
Celesta Tambourine
Kettledrum Triangle
Xylophone Castanets
Dulcitone Cymbals
Tubular bells Gong
Marimba gong
Percussion instruments like the triangle, tambourine ... are considered unimportant as they do not play an important role in the orchestra.
There you have it - orchestra instruments in a nut case.
Ciao!
Friday, January 9, 2009
G-O-D is L-O-V-E
The title tells it all. Hello, again, my dear readers! Today, the Christian Fellowship of SMK Taman S.E.A. held its very first meeting of the year at Block C. The theme was Amazing Grace. We sang the song, we heard the message, and we acknowledged just how wonderful this God-given privilege is.
I'm all about synonyms today, so I'm going to start the topic with a simple question: Do you know what the CF theme is for this year? If you don't, it's "LOVE". Yes, that pleasant, desirable feeling never lets you down.
Love ... (from Macmillan English dictionary): the feeling of liking and caring for someone such as a member of your family or a close friend
Love is also known as ...
Affection: a feeling of liking and caring about someone or something.
Infatuation (not a positive side of the topic): a strong feeling of love that seems silly, especially because you do not know the other person very well.
Adoration: 1. a feeling of great love and respect for someone
2. the worship of a god
Passion: a powerful emotion such as love or anger
Desire: a strong feeling of wanting to have or do something
There is unconditional love - (love that forgives everything and asks for nothing). That may seem like God's love, but only the upper half of the description truly suits it. God does ask for something from us - He wants us to love Him back and have a relationship with Him! Wow, that's more gracious than asking for nothing!!!
There is also unrequited love - (when you love someone but they do not love you). No one wants this. In the same way, show God you love Him by obeying his commands. Oh yeah, and don't forget to forgive the mean girl for calling you that nasty name behind your back. God wants us to love others, just as He has loved you.
What other words remind you of love? Is it Hawaiian pizza? Your best friend? Parents? God? Which one?
I'm all about synonyms today, so I'm going to start the topic with a simple question: Do you know what the CF theme is for this year? If you don't, it's "LOVE". Yes, that pleasant, desirable feeling never lets you down.
Love ... (from Macmillan English dictionary): the feeling of liking and caring for someone such as a member of your family or a close friend
Love is also known as ...
Affection: a feeling of liking and caring about someone or something.
Infatuation (not a positive side of the topic): a strong feeling of love that seems silly, especially because you do not know the other person very well.
Adoration: 1. a feeling of great love and respect for someone
2. the worship of a god
Passion: a powerful emotion such as love or anger
Desire: a strong feeling of wanting to have or do something
There is unconditional love - (love that forgives everything and asks for nothing). That may seem like God's love, but only the upper half of the description truly suits it. God does ask for something from us - He wants us to love Him back and have a relationship with Him! Wow, that's more gracious than asking for nothing!!!
There is also unrequited love - (when you love someone but they do not love you). No one wants this. In the same way, show God you love Him by obeying his commands. Oh yeah, and don't forget to forgive the mean girl for calling you that nasty name behind your back. God wants us to love others, just as He has loved you.
What other words remind you of love? Is it Hawaiian pizza? Your best friend? Parents? God? Which one?
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
10 *Gasp* Facts about Shakespeare
Good day, readers, it's good to see you again even after all the chaos from school's re-opening.
This topic which seemed quite interesting came to my mind, and I decided to blog about it. Today, I randomly posted 10 really surprising facts about the Father of Literature - William Shakespeare.
1. He never went to university. In fact, his family was illiterate! Yet, he grew up to be the greatest English language writer ever lived. (Don't get any ideas)
2. He married a 26-year-old woman, Anne Hathaway, when he was 18.
3. Anne, his wife, was three months pregnant when she married Shakespeare.
4. His eldest child, Susanna, received most of his property when he died, and not his wife.
5. All Shakespeare gave his wife in his will was his second-best bed. The second-best bed was their marriage bed - the best bed was reserved for guests.
6. Both of Shakespeare's parents had names of Bible characters. His mother, MARY, was a wealthy gentleman-farmer's daughter - she married JOHN Shakespeare, a tanner who was the mayor of Stratford.
7. In Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, the character "Juliet" was born on "Lammas Eve at night", which was probably July 31 - and "Juliet" means "born in July"!!!
8. Most of his plays were published seven years after his death.
9. Shakespeare survived the Black Death, but his descendants weren't so fortunate. All of his grandchildren died, leaving him no more descendants.
10. No one really knows what Shakespeare looks like - no portrait was ever painted of him when he was still alive.
This topic which seemed quite interesting came to my mind, and I decided to blog about it. Today, I randomly posted 10 really surprising facts about the Father of Literature - William Shakespeare.
1. He never went to university. In fact, his family was illiterate! Yet, he grew up to be the greatest English language writer ever lived. (Don't get any ideas)
2. He married a 26-year-old woman, Anne Hathaway, when he was 18.
3. Anne, his wife, was three months pregnant when she married Shakespeare.
4. His eldest child, Susanna, received most of his property when he died, and not his wife.
5. All Shakespeare gave his wife in his will was his second-best bed. The second-best bed was their marriage bed - the best bed was reserved for guests.
6. Both of Shakespeare's parents had names of Bible characters. His mother, MARY, was a wealthy gentleman-farmer's daughter - she married JOHN Shakespeare, a tanner who was the mayor of Stratford.
7. In Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, the character "Juliet" was born on "Lammas Eve at night", which was probably July 31 - and "Juliet" means "born in July"!!!
8. Most of his plays were published seven years after his death.
9. Shakespeare survived the Black Death, but his descendants weren't so fortunate. All of his grandchildren died, leaving him no more descendants.
10. No one really knows what Shakespeare looks like - no portrait was ever painted of him when he was still alive.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
BGR - Song of Songs Part 2
Alright, readers - second part of my topic:
Song of Songs 5: 2 - 3
Beloved
I slept but my heart was
awake.
Listen! My lover is knocking:
"Open to me, my sister, my
darling,
my dove, my flawless one.
My head is drenched with dew,
my hair with the dampness
of the night."
I have taken off my robe -
must I put it on again?
I have washed my feet -
must I soil them again?
Here, the guy is coming to see his girl in the dead of the night. During that time, the roads were literally soil and dirt, people out on them were covered with filth.
This girl had just cleaned herself and was halfway sleeping - and getting clean was a very, very tiring process, and the nightgown she wore was almost like being in her underwear nowadays. So, imagine if the guy she loved was outside, asking to come in, she didn't want to tempt both of them since they were not married.
So, she was making excuses, trying to give a hint that it wasn't right for (her) to let (him) see (her) like that.
Song of Songs 5:8
Beloved
O daughters of Jerusalem, I
charge you -
if you find my love,
what will you tell him?
Tell him I am faint with love.
God wants you to be proud of your relationship, if you have one. However, many teenagers, (and even preteens) try to hide it instead of letting others know, in fear of getting punished by their parents or "sabo" by their friends.
Here is where the concept of BGR steps in. Since God wants you to have nothing to hide about your relationship, it is always wise to think "Am I matured enough?", "Am I ready to handle this?" and most importantly "Is this God's will?"
You can take it all from the guy (Lover) and girl (Beloved) in Song of Songs. Here are the special characteristics of both of them:
The guy: - Head over heels for (her), pursues her, yet he knows his limits
- Knows (her) boundaries and accepts them.
- Praises her, even in front of his friends
- Thinks her as the only girl for him
- Waits for the right time in everything
The girl: - Loves the guy, and shows (him) respect
- Has firm boundaries and makes sure (he) knows them
- Praises him, even in front of her friends
- Saves her virginity for him, and also her heart
- Tells him that she prefers his love, rather then him having sex with her.
Here are just a few verses to close with:
Song of Songs 8: 4 "Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you: Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires."
Proverbs 31:30 "Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised."
and my favourite ....
1 Corinthians 13:13 "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the
greatest of these is love."
Song of Songs 5: 2 - 3
Beloved
I slept but my heart was
awake.
Listen! My lover is knocking:
"Open to me, my sister, my
darling,
my dove, my flawless one.
My head is drenched with dew,
my hair with the dampness
of the night."
I have taken off my robe -
must I put it on again?
I have washed my feet -
must I soil them again?
Here, the guy is coming to see his girl in the dead of the night. During that time, the roads were literally soil and dirt, people out on them were covered with filth.
This girl had just cleaned herself and was halfway sleeping - and getting clean was a very, very tiring process, and the nightgown she wore was almost like being in her underwear nowadays. So, imagine if the guy she loved was outside, asking to come in, she didn't want to tempt both of them since they were not married.
So, she was making excuses, trying to give a hint that it wasn't right for (her) to let (him) see (her) like that.
Song of Songs 5:8
Beloved
O daughters of Jerusalem, I
charge you -
if you find my love,
what will you tell him?
Tell him I am faint with love.
God wants you to be proud of your relationship, if you have one. However, many teenagers, (and even preteens) try to hide it instead of letting others know, in fear of getting punished by their parents or "sabo" by their friends.
Here is where the concept of BGR steps in. Since God wants you to have nothing to hide about your relationship, it is always wise to think "Am I matured enough?", "Am I ready to handle this?" and most importantly "Is this God's will?"
You can take it all from the guy (Lover) and girl (Beloved) in Song of Songs. Here are the special characteristics of both of them:
The guy: - Head over heels for (her), pursues her, yet he knows his limits
- Knows (her) boundaries and accepts them.
- Praises her, even in front of his friends
- Thinks her as the only girl for him
- Waits for the right time in everything
The girl: - Loves the guy, and shows (him) respect
- Has firm boundaries and makes sure (he) knows them
- Praises him, even in front of her friends
- Saves her virginity for him, and also her heart
- Tells him that she prefers his love, rather then him having sex with her.
Here are just a few verses to close with:
Song of Songs 8: 4 "Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you: Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires."
Proverbs 31:30 "Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised."
and my favourite ....
1 Corinthians 13:13 "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the
greatest of these is love."
Friday, January 2, 2009
BGR - Song of Songs Part 1
Blessed New Year, my dear blog viewers. How's the new start going? I hope it's running smoothly.
Now, I thought, what better way to start the new year than to speak on a topic that most people are curious about - BGR. I believe that most of you people who read my blog are young people, or, even if you aren't, I bet you'll find this topic quite interesting all the same.
Today, we will look at romantic relationships from God's point of view. This view is taken from the ultamite romance book - The Song of Songs from God's word.
The first thing you can think of when you hear of that book is that it is all about unexplainable love poems from a guy to a girl, and a girl to a guy, which no one from the 21st century can actually relate to. If you think so, You have to change your mind.
Song of Songs is a collection of love poems. These verses form the picture of God's ideal plan of perfect human love and marriage. In fact, Song of Songs is one of the Wisdom Books of the Bible. (Wow, God considers human love as a form of WISDOM!!!!) Besides, scholars state that although in some versions it is called Song of Solomon, it was not necessary written by King Solomon himself, so we cannot be sure who actually wrote them.
The poems are something like a play. Here are the "characters" as the Bible states them:
Lover: GUY in love.
Beloved: GIRL in love.
Friends (speaking after the Lover): Supportive Guyfriends of the Lover
Friends (speaking after the Beloved): Supportive Girlfriends of the Beloved
So, there you are. Now, I will just pull out some scriptures from the book and tell you what they really mean.
Song of Songs 1: 1-3
"Beloved
Let him kiss me with the
kisses of his mouth -
for your love is more
delightful than wine.
Pleasing is the fragrance of
your perfumes;
your name is like perfume
poured out.
No wonder the maidens
love you!
That was a girl talking about her lover. Do you notice how bold she was at the very beginning - she asked him to kiss her on the mouth - not on the cheek, not on the forehead. In those days, a kiss could mean a greeting, a blessing - but in her case, a kiss on the mouth was a mark of a romantic relationship. Then, she added, "Your love is better than wine." In those days, wine was usually associated with sex. So, she was saying, "I prefer your love for me, than you having sex with me."
It goes on with the Beloved praising her lover's name. A name, back then, represented your character, your personality, everything about you. In modern words, this was what she was saying:
"(You) are so pleasant. The sound of your name is so sweet. No wonder everyone likes you!"
The story continues with the guy replying the girl (now this is very important):
Song of Songs 1:9
"Lover
I liken you, my darling, to a
mare
harnessed to one of the
chariots of Pharaoh."
If you were to say this to any girl today, she will give you the cold shoulder; but if you were living 2000 years ago, the girl will run home and tell her parents she has met her future husband.
You see, in those days, stallions were used in battle. Mares on heat were released before them, and when the male horses saw the female horses ...
"NEIGGHHHHTTTT!!!!!" They would just charge forward like psychos. So, if this Lover guy was comparing his girl to a mare, he meant that when he took just one look at her, he was OFF!!! All he wanted was her. (Wow, what a guy!)
In Chapter 4, the Lover compares his Beloved's eyes with doves. Dove represented a gentle and loving person, so you must know what (he) thought of (her). The Lover goes on praising the beauty of the girl he loves, saying how perfect her outer appearance was.
PRECAUTION: Girls during those days had love handles, so, you can't say that fat is ugly. (Not to a guy who has fallen for her heart!)
In Song of Songs 4:12, he says:
"You are a garden locked up,
my sister, my bride;
you are a spring enclosed, a
sealed fountain."
The Lover was saying that his Beloved was saving herself up for him. The "spring" meant the source of life - her womb! The girl was saving her virginity up for him, and he was proud of it.
Now, there you go - part of one of the most mysterious books is is revealed to you. If you want to find out the whole story, come and read the next part of my blog which will be posted in several days time.
A dedication of this post to my church Youth Pastor, who gave me most of the information I knew right now.
Now, I thought, what better way to start the new year than to speak on a topic that most people are curious about - BGR. I believe that most of you people who read my blog are young people, or, even if you aren't, I bet you'll find this topic quite interesting all the same.
Today, we will look at romantic relationships from God's point of view. This view is taken from the ultamite romance book - The Song of Songs from God's word.
The first thing you can think of when you hear of that book is that it is all about unexplainable love poems from a guy to a girl, and a girl to a guy, which no one from the 21st century can actually relate to. If you think so, You have to change your mind.
Song of Songs is a collection of love poems. These verses form the picture of God's ideal plan of perfect human love and marriage. In fact, Song of Songs is one of the Wisdom Books of the Bible. (Wow, God considers human love as a form of WISDOM!!!!) Besides, scholars state that although in some versions it is called Song of Solomon, it was not necessary written by King Solomon himself, so we cannot be sure who actually wrote them.
The poems are something like a play. Here are the "characters" as the Bible states them:
Lover: GUY in love.
Beloved: GIRL in love.
Friends (speaking after the Lover): Supportive Guyfriends of the Lover
Friends (speaking after the Beloved): Supportive Girlfriends of the Beloved
So, there you are. Now, I will just pull out some scriptures from the book and tell you what they really mean.
Song of Songs 1: 1-3
"Beloved
Let him kiss me with the
kisses of his mouth -
for your love is more
delightful than wine.
Pleasing is the fragrance of
your perfumes;
your name is like perfume
poured out.
No wonder the maidens
love you!
That was a girl talking about her lover. Do you notice how bold she was at the very beginning - she asked him to kiss her on the mouth - not on the cheek, not on the forehead. In those days, a kiss could mean a greeting, a blessing - but in her case, a kiss on the mouth was a mark of a romantic relationship. Then, she added, "Your love is better than wine." In those days, wine was usually associated with sex. So, she was saying, "I prefer your love for me, than you having sex with me."
It goes on with the Beloved praising her lover's name. A name, back then, represented your character, your personality, everything about you. In modern words, this was what she was saying:
"(You) are so pleasant. The sound of your name is so sweet. No wonder everyone likes you!"
The story continues with the guy replying the girl (now this is very important):
Song of Songs 1:9
"Lover
I liken you, my darling, to a
mare
harnessed to one of the
chariots of Pharaoh."
If you were to say this to any girl today, she will give you the cold shoulder; but if you were living 2000 years ago, the girl will run home and tell her parents she has met her future husband.
You see, in those days, stallions were used in battle. Mares on heat were released before them, and when the male horses saw the female horses ...
"NEIGGHHHHTTTT!!!!!" They would just charge forward like psychos. So, if this Lover guy was comparing his girl to a mare, he meant that when he took just one look at her, he was OFF!!! All he wanted was her. (Wow, what a guy!)
In Chapter 4, the Lover compares his Beloved's eyes with doves. Dove represented a gentle and loving person, so you must know what (he) thought of (her). The Lover goes on praising the beauty of the girl he loves, saying how perfect her outer appearance was.
PRECAUTION: Girls during those days had love handles, so, you can't say that fat is ugly. (Not to a guy who has fallen for her heart!)
In Song of Songs 4:12, he says:
"You are a garden locked up,
my sister, my bride;
you are a spring enclosed, a
sealed fountain."
The Lover was saying that his Beloved was saving herself up for him. The "spring" meant the source of life - her womb! The girl was saving her virginity up for him, and he was proud of it.
Now, there you go - part of one of the most mysterious books is is revealed to you. If you want to find out the whole story, come and read the next part of my blog which will be posted in several days time.
A dedication of this post to my church Youth Pastor, who gave me most of the information I knew right now.
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