Nodding and Shaking Heads

Have you ever been puzzled by the answers people give by nodding and shaking of heads?

This seems to be a common practice in this country where I live, especially at crowded eating places. What I am talking here is the answers I get from people when I ask the following questions:

Is this seat taken?
May I sit here?

The strange thing about nodding and shaking heads to answer questions while people are in their midst of eating is that the answers are often inaccurate and frequently the opposite of what they intended the answers to be.

When I ask, "Is this seat taken?", I often get a response by people shaking their heads, which to me means 'no, the seat is not taken,' but they mean to say 'yes' the seat has been taken.

When I ask, "May I sit here?", I get a response by people nodding their heads, which to me means 'yes, you can sit here,' but they mean to say 'no, the seat is taken.'

When I ask, "Is this seat taken?" and they nod their heads, I sometimes have to ask again to make sure the seat is taken because often they mean the opposite, as in "Sure, go ahead and sit".

When I ask, "May I sit here?" and they shake their heads, I often have to ask again, because they may mean, "No, nobody is sitting here".

With these kinds of responses frequently taking place, I am often led and misled in getting a seat, and walking around to find a seat to sit down and eat is no easy task, especially when you are eating alone.

The puzzling and confusing gestures people make in answering questions are often unreliable, and if I am asked the same questions and I do not wish to open my mouth to answer, I choose to do none of the abovementioned gesture, but simply use my hands to motion a welcome to tell the asking party, "You're welcome to sit here."

For a study on this subject, please read article, Nodding Or Shaking Your Head May Influence Your Thoughts, by Ohio State University (OSU) Research News.

Translations

I can now better understand why books with different translations appear at time to vary in content or context.

In recent months, I have the opportunity to translate and edit several articles of different languages into English with the help of online translators. Some of the languages for translation include French, Italian, Hungarian, and Japanese.

One of the greatest difficulties I faced in translating the languages is the many varied meanings of a word. Take French for example. The word 'apres' or 'a pres' is translated by the different online translators as 'after' or 'near'. A sentence such as the following:

Après ses casinos, le groupe Louvre Hôtels souhaitait également offrir aux clients de son hôtelier un accès Wi-Fi gratuit

therefore, can be translated as:

After its casinos, the group Louvre Hôtels also wished to offer to the customers of its hotel free Wi-Fi access

or

Near its casinos, the group Louvre Hôtels also wished to offer to the customers of its hotel free Wi-Fi access

This sentence which is at the start of a new paragraph however appears incorrectly translated, based on the structure and preceding paragraphs which made no mention of what is before, hence, 'after' cannot be used. The word 'near' seems logical, but in understanding the context, does not seem to fit the starting point of a new paragraph, so a French to English dicitionary was consulted.

Apart from the meanings 'after' and 'near', the dictionary also defines 'apres' as 'in front of', which put the whole context of the sentence in different light. The plausible meaning of the abovestated sentence therefore can be translated as:

In front of the casinos, the group Louvre Hôtels also wished to offer to the customers of its hotel free Wi-Fi access

Having determined 'in front of' to be the 'correct' translation, most of us will automatically assume the same word 'apres' used at the beginning of the next paragraph means the same thing, but this is far from the truth and presumptious, as in the case of the article I was editing. Reading through the context of the new paragraph:

Après un état des lieux et une série de tests en réel, c’est la gamme sans fil AirPremier qui a été retenu pour répondre totalement aux contraintes techniques Wi-Fi des hôtels

the correct translation will appear to mean 'after' rather than 'in front of', as in the case of:

After an inventory of fixtures and a series of testing in 'live' environment, it is the wireless AirPremier which was retained to answer completely the technical constraints Wi-Fi of the hotels

Following this thread of discussion, it is clear that translations and interpretations can differ in context. This is probably why different translations and versions of the Holy Bible can sometime appear to be different in interpretation of certain passages and verses in specific context. When read as a whole, however, the focus of the Bible is essentially the same, and it is our attitudes as the reader in understanding the truth within that is important.

Online Translation Tools:
www.google.com/translate_t
www.worldlingo.com/en/products_services/worldlingo_translator.html
www.freetranslation.com/
www.translation-guide.com/free_online_translators.php?

Difference between Bosses and Subordinates

Ever wonder why you work so hard and still get nowhere?

You may be more skillful or knowledgeable than your supervisor or your boss, but you are the one doing all the work while he or she is the one who needs only to do the talking to get things done. It is, of course, possible that your supervisor knows better than you, and his or her time may be more precious than yours, but at the end of the road, it is usually (or always) you who sees things through.

Here lies the difference. People believes bosses use brains, subordinates use brawn, skills, or qualities most deem not worth much. In reality, all these are plain abuse, the conditioning of a capitalist's wayward mentality, shaped by governance and society. The philosophy underlining this belief is:

"Being able is good, but being able to make use of able people is better" - me.

If you, like me, are facing the same nonsense as an employee, then you must learn to do things differently. You'll need to do whatever you can to show your visibility, to obtain the recognition you deserve, to show the work you've done, or lose your credibility and be misplaced or replaced eventually!

Slowing Down

Living life in the fast lane is never easy.

I've been rushing all my life. I rush to catch buses and trains, I speed walk to reach places, I hasten my pace of working to meet deadlines. I am always conscious of lost time and every minute counts in my life. I am breathless most of my time, and my heartbeat is faster than usual.

I am now learning to slow down. I miss the bus and train if I have to, I walk slowly and careful, I work the best I can do, but I won't rush to finish my work even if there is a deadline. I am learning to be less conscious of the limited time I have, and I am catching my breath, slowing my hearbeat to normal pace.

Why? Because when I rush up the stairs to catch the train or run after a bus, I heat up and I can't relax, my blood shoot up. I don't walk speedily as before, because on many occasions I have fallen and injure myself especially on wet floor. Just recently, I rushed and I rushed to meet the deadlines my supervisors gave me, but the materials I need never come on time, and at last minute I will always have to stay staggering number of hours overtime. When I miss the deadline, of which is no fault of mine, my supervisors, the project managers themselves, did not bother because the deadlines they set are for driving people, by which they themseleves fail to meet, nor see the urgency, so why should I bother?

The result of all this is a regular reading of 150/90 blood pressure for the past six months, and I've been advised to start taking anti high blood pressure medication to bring it down. I am constantly faced with dizziness to which even Stemitil has now lost its effect on me and I am breathless easily.

There is no point in rushing to meet the targets set by men, for their expectations have no end. If our health is at risks because of them, life is not worth living the way it is. Enjoy life while you can, find rest and relaxation, laughter and joy, for by God we have been created, and for His purpose we have been made. Take time and do the things we have always wanted to do, but don't get to find time to do. Live life abundantly (John 10:9-10).

News and Media Archives

News agencies often use archived pictures and video clips for re-publishing in general news articles. This method of placing back-dated clips or pictures however can mislead audience to perceive the visuals as occurring only recently.

Just yesterday, a friend of mine was perturbed when she saw her picture appear in an article of a local newspaper which was taken by the press two years ago for an event. Although the picture from the archive is appropriate for the theme of the article in illustrating the dependency of good teacher-pupil relationship in providing effective teaching, it is seemingly 'incorrect' to portray it as part of a recent news relating to a subject discussed in Parliament concerning a new method of assessing teachers under the Enhanced Performance Measurement System, especially when it is published without prior permission from the person in the picture. This, however, is how it is with news reporting. Where a piece of news has been accepted for publishing by the press, all its content essentially becomes the property of the news agency, in which the agency reserve all rights to do anything they want with it, including the pictures. Such content once published is deemed to be for the 'public' eye, hence, can no longer be considered private, which would require the agency to request permission before re-publishing. However, if the picture is being misused to convey something not relating to the original intent, the matter can then be brought up for scrutiny.

Take the example of the news station that presented an archived video clip of the celebration by Iraqis after the September 11, 2001 event where the twin World Trade Center towers were destroyed in New York. This piece of news was telecast throughout the world and created much hatred, resulting in Gulf War II. The video clip in question, however, is not shown 'live' from Iraq, but from an archive in the library. In reality, nothing of that celebration took place, yet by telecasting the clip immediately after showing the video of what happened to the World Trade Center, audience's perception was misplaced, resulting in hate.

The issue being discussed here is not to determine the extent in which the journalism code must be adhered or about what is and what is not ethical. It is about how audience must perceive news that is found in the newspapers and TV news. To this end, my wish is for all of us as readers of news, to learn to see beyond what is written in the text, so as to decipher for ourselves what is true and untrue, what is real and unreal, and what is right or wrong.

Photos of Adelaide

A Visit to Kranji Countryside

A walk through to the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, into the world of nature, has been something I've longed to do since several years back, while I was still doing my research on environmental ecology as part of my Environmental Sociology studies.

The visit today has been fruitful and I chanced upon a komodo dragon crawling on my path. A spider in its full webbings busy at work is also a fascinating sight, and creatures of the 'lizard' family, such as chameleons and the likes also crossed my path. The sound of nature and birds chirpping refreshes my spirit.

Here is a preview of what I've seen, but beyond that, there are much more.

If you'll like to know about this place, visit the website: http://www.kranjicountryside.com/.

Hard Times

Many things happen in our lives and many more will continue to happen. Sometimes it can be difficult going through hard times, and sometimes we may not understand why. One thing however is certain: all things work together for good, according to God's purpose in our lives (Romans 8:28).

If you ask God to answer a need, you can be assured He will answer your prayer. Sometimes it may be immediate, sometimes longer, or sometimes you may have to go through it. All prayers will be answered, whether now or later, yes or no. All you'll need to do is trust Him and give your heart to Him (Proverbs 3:5-6). Lay your worries and troubles at His feet and worry no more, for God is with you; He will help you and take care of you.

Isaiah 41:10 (NAS)
'Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.'

John 16:33 (NAS)
"These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me (Jesus) you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world."

Planning and Building Alliances

Are you making plans without God in mind, or relying too much on alliances with others for success?

Making plans and working with others are good, but without God in mind, the results can be fruitless. The following verses tell you the consequence of not following 'In God We Trust'.

Isaiah 30:1 (NAS)
"Woe to the rebellious children," declares the LORD, "Who execute a plan, but not Mine, And make an alliance, but not of My Spirit, In order to add sin to sin;

Isaiah 30:9 (NAS)
For this is a rebellious people, false sons, Sons who refuse to listen To the instruction of the LORD;

Isaiah 30:12-13 (NAS)
Therefore thus says the Holy One of Israel, "Since you have rejected this word And have put your trust in oppression and guile, and have relied on them, Therefore this iniquity will be to you Like a breach about to fall, A bulge in a high wall, Whose collapse comes suddenly in an instant,

Isaiah 30:15-16 (NAS)
For thus the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, has said, "In repentance and rest you will be saved, In quietness and trust is your strength." But you were not willing, And you said, "No, for we will flee on horses, "Therefore you shall flee! "And we will ride on swift horses," Therefore those who pursue you shall be swift.

Isaiah 31:1-2 (NAS)
Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help And rely on horses, And trust in chariots because they are many And in horsemen because they are very strong, But they do not look to the Holy One of Israel, nor seek the LORD! Yet He also is wise and will bring disaster And does not retract His words, But will arise against the house of evildoers And against the help of the workers of iniquity.

Isaiah 31:4 (NAS)
For thus says the LORD to me, "As the lion or the young lion growls over his prey, Against which a band of shepherds is called out, And he will not be terrified at their voice nor disturbed at their noise, So will the LORD of hosts come down to wage war on Mount Zion and on its hill."

Isaiah 31:6 (NAS)
Return to Him from whom you have deeply defected, O sons of Israel.

Lifeless without the Net

The last few days have been a trying time, and I am almost lifeless without access to MSN and connection to the rest of the world via the Net!

Interviewees on TV say lives go on without online access, but seriously, is this true? I have friends all around the world whom I communicate with almost daily, and without Internet access, I find myself becoming restless, although, I must admit the initial feeling was good because there was no disturbance of SPAM, overloaded emails, or MSN interruptions while at work. Maybe, this is God's way of putting me to sleep early, say around 12am rather than 1-2am.

Whether the people interviewed on TV realize it or not, the absence of on-line communications certainly cost money and losses to many, in friendship, relationship, and businesses. So much for online reliability and disaster recovery! Taiwan's earthquake may not have rock certain parts of Asia, but it certainly rock dollars and sense of many who are dependent on online facility, including telephone communication over the Net via VoIP!

The Trouble With Lizards

The trouble with lizards is that they loom around everywhere in the house and are often a nuisance and scare to many. If you are one of the people who are faced with this problem, be consoled, because you are not alone in your battle against house pest.

Do you know that even King Solomon faces such problem in his palace ages ago? The Bible states:

Proverbs 30:24-28 (NAS)
Four things are small on the earth, But they are exceedingly wise: The ants ... The shephanim ... The locusts ... The lizard you may grasp with the hands, Yet it is in kings' palaces.

So, if you are facing the agony I am facing in getting rid of lizards, fret not, nor question why they infest 'only' your house, because even the kings of old have to live with them!

A Possible Reason for Hair Loss

There are many reasons why people get hair loss, and one of them is due to pride.

Here's a verse in the Bible that talks about hair loss ...

Isaiah 3:16-17 (NAS)
... the LORD said, "Because the daughters of Zion are proud And walk with heads held high and seductive eyes, And go along with mincing steps And tinkle the bangles on their feet, Therefore the Lord will afflict the scalp of the daughters of Zion with scabs, And the LORD will make their foreheads bare."

SPAM @ MoBlog Comments

Imagine receiving more than thirteen spam comments within a few days for a blog entry with people selling clothes and watches to pharmaceutical products and viagra, and there is NO WAY to stop it because MoBlog does NOT have a function to disable Guest's comment!


I am getting very frustrated blogging at Moblog because of endless spam at comments!

From my observation, it appears the spammer may have used a computer program to search for blogs with keywords like 'christmas' or 'thanksgiving' to target their ads via a script, which automatically places their comments in blogs. The script is generated over and over again without the spammer having to lift a finger, and as victims, we can only painstakingly remove them one by one on a regular basis, unless someone place them on the block list. Sadly in this case, the spammer users the 'Guest' account to comment, so there is no way to block the sender specifically. This method of flooding ads on blogs' comments is known as auto-spam bots by the techies.

I have begged Moblog Support to do something about it, but they simply thanked me for the feedback and said they will look into having the solution in the next version. Last I remember when Moblog Support tells me they will include feature like 'Comic Sans MS' font in the next release, it was about a year ago and till this day, I am still waiting for it to happen.

When I begged them a second time for a current workaround, their reply was:

As much as we feel your frustration of being continually spammed by bots, we sadly cannot lend immediate assistance. If you find that only one of your blogs is being bombarded by spam, we advise you to delete that blog and create new entry. Because thus far, you are the only one who has complaints about excessive spam comments.

I am not sure whether I will be staying with Moblog anymore, considering the problems I am facing now. Hope they will do something soon.

Remembering Thanksgiving

October 3, 1863 is the day President Abraham Lincoln officially proclaimed the last Thursday in November as a national day "of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father." Here is the text of Lincoln's proclamation:

By the President of the United States of America.

A Proclamation.

The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God.

In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union. Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle or the ship; the axe has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consiousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom. No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious.gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People.

I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.

Many have tried to remove any thought of God from Thanksgiving celebrations since, and to secularize the holiday and reinvent history to attempt to prove their point. But it is evident from reading primary sources that Thanksgiving in America was always about giving thanks to God.

It is a Christian command and privilege to be grateful for the blessings of God (Deuteronomy 8:10; Psalm 107:19,21; Colossians 1:12-14; Philippians 1:3). Thanksgiving Day is a wonderful reminder to "give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His love endures forever" (1 Chronicles 16:34).

Adapted from Dennis Rupert's article, 'The True Thanksgiving Story'.

In One Peace

Being always conscious of the limited time we have each day, I constantly live my life in a rush. Speed walking with overstretched legs and zig-zag overtaking are my companions, and I don't seem to know when to slowdown or to stop.

Then God decided it is time for me to learn how to slowdown, for my lungs to rest, because I have been overworking it and leaving it panting and over-exercised.

Within two weeks, I fell with my knees down on the floor two times, because of wet and slippery ground. Now, with bruises and occasional pain, I can no longer walk as before, hopefully temporary, and I am cautious the steps I take, making sure to walk slowly at normal pace. Climbing up and down the stairs have now become my constant reminder, and I don't have a choice, because the paths I take each day requires it.

Here is my afterthought: Constant rush can be hazardous to health. It is sometimes necessary and important to take time to accomplish a task, a goal, or in whatever we do. All of us must learn forebearance and patience, to think through and to be sure before jumping into the unforeseen.

Food for Thought

Here's something for you and I to think about ... Financial Lifelihood and Love Life ... the two things that really matters in life!

My Current Economic Status
Not enough to satisfy; good enough to survive

My Thoughts On Love
A) Love is selfish; a thing to possess
B) Love is selfless; a thing to give my all
~~ My Answer: B ~~

The Dangers of Being a Guarantor

Proverbs 11:15 (NAS)
He who is guarantor for a stranger will surely suffer for it, But he who hates being a guarantor is secure.

Proverbs 17:18 (NAS)
A man lacking in sense pledges And becomes guarantor in the presence of his neighbor.

Proverbs 22:26-27 (NAS)
Do not be among those who give pledges, Among those who become guarantors for debts. If you have nothing with which to pay, Why should he take your bed from under you?

Proverbs 6:1-5 (NAS)
My son, if you have become surety for your neighbor, Have given a pledge for a stranger, If you have been snared with the words of your mouth, Have been caught with the words of your mouth, Do this then, my son, and deliver yourself; Since you have come into the hand of your neighbor, Go, humble yourself, and importune your neighbor. Give no sleep to your eyes, Nor slumber to your eyelids; Deliver yourself like a gazelle from the hunter's hand And like a bird from the hand of the fowler.

for BlogTV.sg

Blogging is NOT just about Me!
Blogging is not all about 'I, me, and myself', nor a way to exhibit one's public profile. To me, it is about making friends and sharing experiences.

What I like about blogging is receiving opinions and comments from others without the need to know who they are or the need for them to know who I am. As a blogger, I use a cartoon avatar to represent me. By doing this, I have the advantage of receiving genuine and non-bias feedback from readers, something which cannot be done if the other party knows me, as most people who knows one another usually do not wish to 'offend' the other, or wish to remain in friendly status quo.

Blogging is, in my opinion, more than just an online diary. The truth is, blogging serves better as a tool for communication, where I share to the world what I know. I have many blogs on the Net, and each of these blogs serve a different objective.

For example, I have a blog where I seek to exchange opinions about my line of work and study, another blog on leisure where I share my travel experience and photographs, and an interest group blog where I share about my hobbies and my collectables of comic characters.

Blogging can be used for many purposes. People whom I've interviewed for an article I wrote in a magazine two years ago, agree that it is a useful tool for education where teachers can communicate with students, areas of studies. Others say it is a good way to know a person in-depth, because they can read archives of individuals to know his or her past, and current entries to know the present.

Whatever our opinions may be concerning blogging, let me say blogging is something close to my heart, because through it, I have found several good friends, who knows my innermost thoughts better than when we meet face to face!

Dirty Singapore

Once known in the world for its cleaniness, Singapore is no longer the same today. With increasing number of people from different cultures in this city-state, the island as we see it, is now covered with debris all over the land, without much action taken from the relevant authorities to eliminate the dirt-filled city.


Apart from parks covered with waste in the sea, these days we see cans, bottles, and tissues all over places in main streets, and the fields. Take a look at the picture above, photographed by me on a pedestrian path near the International Business Park, Jurong East on September 29, 2006 at about 6:25 pm. Who would have thought such a disgusting sight can be seen in a public place?

The fact that there are such litter all over Singapore shows the open-mindedness of people these days, and the benefits we learn from imported behaviors. Singapore may once be called a 'fine' country, but these days, fine and punishment seems to lax in the society, which give rise to more deviant behaviors.

Is It Sinful To Live Among Sinners?

Mark 2:17 (NAS)
And hearing this, Jesus said to them, "It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners."

John 8:7-9 (NAS)
But when they persisted in asking Him, He straightened up, and said to them, "He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." ... When they heard it, they began to go out one by one, beginning with the older ones, and He was left alone, and the woman, where she was, in the center of the court.

Food for Thought
Who among us is NOT a sinner? Even saints are sinners too, except that they have been saved by grace. There is nothing wrong with living alongside sinners, but to participate in sin with them is wrong (Psalm 141:4).

A Day of Celebration

A Bible verse from my devotional time today states:

Those who sow in tears shall reap with joyful shouting. (Psalms 126:5 NAS)

How appropriate this verse is for me today! After six long years of tearful sowing in academic pursuit part-time in the midst of full-time work, the day of joyful reaping has finally arrived. This is the day of celebration and rejoicing, the day where I am awarded my arts degree in Communication at a graduation convocation held at the Ritz Carlton hotel.

Thank God for His blessings and for seeing me through the many years of tearful sowing!

An Unusual Tree

There is a tree in the woods that stands out above all others, where I frequently visit for my nature walk. It is a tree that is unusual because it does seem to belong, as if from another world. It blooms of wild flowers that attract the bees, and bear 'fruits' that resemble a basketball in shape and in size. In its natural state of 'ugliness' is a beauty that boasts of the wonders of nature, the handiwork of God, a spectacle to behold and admire. Like grass of the fields and flowers of the wild that is alive today and gone tomorrow, this spectacle certainly reflects the great wonders of God's creation.

Matthew 6:26-30a (NAS)
Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? ... Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you?

Beautiful Saturday

Another breathtaking Saturday morning as I walked in the beauty of God's creation. Here's two photographs to let you have a glimpse of what I mean!

Food for Taste

Some of the Nicest Food in Singapore ...

Fried Fish Noodles @ Causeway Point Banquet

Wanton Noodles @ Causeway Point Food Junction

Fried Kway Teow @ IMM Banquet

Fried Hokkien Noodles @ IMM Banquet

Blog A Job

About two weeks ago The Straits Times quoted a news story from the New York Times concerning the reviewing of potential employees' blogs by employers.

In the story, a graduate with great potentials and outstanding results was denied a job after a potential employer discovers the graduate's blog containing some questionable remarks or inapporiate content.

Blogging as a way to find a job is not uncommon these days. Not too long ago, a Singaporean blogger was hired to be press writer for a local newspaper because of her 'famous' or 'infamous' blog. Just recently, I came across an advertisement at JobsDB.com that mentioned the following as a criteria for the position of an Editor:

You must also be able to show a decent portfolio of work - mostly published but if you're a blogger, we'd also like to have a look at your online efforts.


These days, online writing can be used for many purposes, and getting hired is certainly one noble way of using our writing skills to make a living!

Routines

If I wake up at 06:30 in the morning, it means I am late for work, which starts at 09:00. What goes on sequentially in the hours between these time are:

1) Wash up
2) Stretching exercise
3) Quiet Time with God and reading His Word
4) Breakfast
5) Dress up and leave house

By then, the time will be around 08:05 and I will be in a mad rush ...

- Walking to the train station (about 15min)
- Waiting for and taking train to destination (about 30min)
- Waiting for and taking shuttle bus to workplace (about 15min)
- Walking from bus-stop to workplace (10min)

Two things I can never skip from my routines are related to health: physical health and spiritual health. If I don't exercise, I will usually face aching bones after some time. If I don't spend time with God, I will usually end up working aimlessly and wasting the day, lacking the strength to push and look forward. These two routines are therefore an essential part of my life and I am determine to keep it, rain or shine, late or early.

What about you? Do you find meaning in your life within your routines?

3 Important Things

It is said there are three things in life a person has to decide for himself or herself: career, soulmate, and religion.

While I generally agree with the first two, I beg to differ on the third because not all ways lead to heaven or eternal life. I will not discuss here as to which Way is the correct way, because of the sensitivity that involves religion. However, if you'll like to know more, feel free to read Do I Have The Right Kind Of Faith?

Concrete Jungle

I love nature and I often go to nature when I want to talk to my Creator.


A few days ago, during my lunch hour, I went to explore a new place not too far away from my office. Amidst the office buildings, at the outskirt of this place is a small jungle, where a pathyway leads to the very presence of trees, much like an old kampong. As I walked down the stairs which were covered with fallen leaves, I could see fallen love seeds on the ground, some with the shell still intact. Obviously, there must be a saga tree in this small jungle.

The first thing that came to mY mind was to get right into the presence of nature to chat with God, then get accustomed to my surroundings, and to breathe the fresh air of nature. After having set my heart still and my ears listening to the sound of nature, I begin to listen to my surroundings, the chirping of birds and the blowing of wind.

The next thing I did after chatting with my Creator, was to start picking up the love seeds from the ground, removing each seed from its shell, collecting as many as I can while I fight with the ants and the large mosquitoes. By the time I collected fifty seeds, my arms were already itching with bites, and I had to leave.

The rest of the story, most of you would have known, if you have read my earlier blog entry on 'Seeds of Love', which details how you can use these seeds to bottle them into a gift for your girlfriend or spouse. Afterall, love seeds are also known as 'xiang si dou', an expression of romantic longing with deep passionate love.

Seeds of Love

3 Steps to a gift for a GirL

1) Go to a park and find the seeds

2) Retrieve the seeds from its shell

3) Bottle the seeds as a gift

The gift may be accompanied with a note or message such as this ...
I braved the sun, the ants, and the mosquitoes to bring you these, because I love you!

Love seeds are seeds from the saga tree, also known as 'xiang si dou' in Chinese, meaning a sense of romantic longing or 'reminiscent of deep passion'!

Squeezed!

Ever experience being squeezed? This girl on the train must have felt it, having been sandwiched between two men.

Wonder how you girls feel when faced with such situation. Will you give up your seat or stay oblivious as if nothing has happened?

GuYs, pLease do not taKe advantage of the guRLs!

Six-in-One Vaccine

I saw an interesting poster of a 6-in-1 vaccine advertisement at the clinic today.

It's headline states, "More Protection, Less Fever & Injections - Fight 6 nasty diseases with a new 6 in 1 vaccine". The picture in the poster shows a boy in Bruce Lee's attire with six people kocked-out on the floor.

Really hilarious! (",)

Running and Rushing

I have been running and rushing my entire life. I rush to catch the bus, I rush to catch the train, I rush to get to work, and I rush to get home. Few are the moments I have paused to catch my breath or to take an extended break (except maybe once a year), a sure sign of an impending breakdown, and possibly, a prelude to a heart attack.

Not many years ago, God decided that I should take a rest, and rest I did, first in hospital for a surgery, then at home for recovery. During that one month, I learnt to be still before God and to be at peace. I knew with all the rush, I have gained nothing much, except in jeopardizing my own health.

When I finally recovered, I was back once again to my rushing game, rushing to clear my studies, and rushing to clear my work. Till this day, although I have completed my studies, I have yet to learn how to completely rest, without feeling unrest or guilty of wasting away my free time. Maybe I am too conscious about time, or maybe subconsciously I have hardened myself in understanding the need to spend my time meaningfully. For long ago, I have understood and held fast one fact, to be accountable for my time and days on earth, as the Bible said ...

Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. (Psalm 90:12 NIV)

Yet, I know and understand ...

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: (Ecclesiastes 3:1 NIV)

For God ...

... has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil -- this is the.gift of God. I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere him. Whatever is has already been, and what will be has been before; and God will call the past to account. (Ecclesiastes 3:11-15 NIV)

iT is FiNisHed!

After six years of agony, my part-time study in Communication is finally finished, pending results on July 12, 2006!

Thank God for seeing me through the years of sleepless nights to morn, and the many burnt weekends. Thank God also for His grace and provision.

For six years sow your fields, and for six years prune your vineyards and gather their crops. But in the seventh year the land is to have a sabbath of rest, a sabbath to the Lord. Do not sow your fields or prune your vineyards. (Leviticus 25:3-4 NIV)

Spider-Man 3

Kirsten Dunst has revealed that Thomas Haden Church will play Sandman and Topher Grace will play Venom in director Sam Raimi's SpiderMan 3.

"We have really great people though as the villains in this film, Thomas Haden Church and Topher Grace -- Venom and Sandman," Kirsten Dunst told Zap2it. "Maybe I wasn't supposed to say that," she said before reversing her claim. "It's the other way around. You're right," she added.

Dunst says she hasn't received the script for the movie yet, which will begin shooting in January. "But I know the general story," she said. "There's a lot that they're trying to fit into this one."

James Cromwell is set to join SpiderMan 3 as Captain Stacy, the father of Bryce Dallas Howard's character, according to the Hollywood Reporter. Columbia is keeping a tight lid on the third movie's story line, though it is known that Gwen is the third part of a love triangle and that the character does survive. Peter Parker love interest, Gwen Stacy (Bryce Dallas Howard) ends up blaming Spider-Man for her father's death.

SpiderMan 3 is currently slated for a May 4th, 2007 release. Source information from: http://www.killermovies.com.

Truth About Da Vinci Code

Many may have read the Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown, and many more may be planning to watch the upcoming movie of this same title.

How much of the story is true when it claims, 'All descriptions of artwork, architecture, documents, and secret rituals in this novel are accurate,' and how much is factual when it alleges 'scientific evidence that the New Testament is false testimony'?

Read all about this conspiracy theory in, The Da Vinci Code - Separating Fact from Fiction, by RBC.