So it's been a while.. :)

Got to say I return home this time with a new breath of life, eager and expectant for what is to come. Looks like things are heading in the right direction. We'll see what happens in the next month or so. Slowly, I'm watching everything starting to unfold (EXCITING!)

Well New Zealand, it's been amazing to say the least. Yes, a big part of me still wants to stay and enjoy being there. Whenever I reflect on NZ, I just wanna go back and do lots of stuff. So much to do with so many cool people. I'm missing the tramps, road trips, fishing trips and most of all, all of the people to do them with (hint: come visit me in kuching!). But, that's ok. It's been crazy amazing but I have to close that chapter so that something even exceedingly more amazing could come into being..

Herm, I think I'll leave you with that for now. Better things are yet to come ;)

The Call to Greatness

It's been a while.. and it's been a hard few months.. BUT! today I saw the light :) it's like I've been wondering aimlessly in a maze of dark tunnel for some time and today i see the light and that's where I'm heading!! Will let you know personally as things develop :)

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.

Joshua 1:9

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Jeremiah 29:11

Time to ride the wave baby!!

After four years..

Just finished catching up with Ian not too long ago.. Probably the last time for a while.. As I look back the 4 years I've spent at uni, one thing that will remain with me forever would be the relationship that was built. Yeah, I've learn the basics of engineering, been in plenty of adventures all around New Zealand, meet plenty of different people and gained between 15-20kg along the way (=D i'm glad i did and i'm pretty sure a big chunk of it is muscle mass).. but above all that, I'll remember how there was someone who hold me up when I'm down, someone to listen when I needed to pour my heart out, someone to keep my rear end in line, someone that cries with me and also laughs with me. Lots of stuff happened during my last 4 years that I wouldn't have been able to live through if it were not for you guys, and for that you have my gratitude. Thank you. You know who you are, old and new, far and near.. =)

.........

Actually, heck.. I might as well be soapy and name you guys.. (in no particular order..)

- Gloria for being a good friend for the last 2-3 years. Always there for me to disturb and also to talk to..
- Ben, YL, Calvin, Bernard.. It's been a joy leading the lifegroup and it's definitely one of my highlights of the year.. I've learn alot!
- Ian.. someone I can truly call a brother..Thanks for all the good advice and encouragement..
- Jerica.. somehow, through the 4 years, you were there when I needed someone to talk to..
- Paul.. for always challenging me and pulling me out of my comfort zone
- Nev, Andy and Andy..for allowing me to join in all the adventures and showing me what it's like to be a Kiwi boy..my mum is not going to be happy if she finds out the influence you guys had on me..
- Sam and Fraser.. uni would not have been the same without you guys.. i'll remember all the all nighters, not for the pain it caused, but because somehow, you guys made it fun..
- Celestine..haha, yes you made the list too.. very encouraged by how you've grown over the last year..and thanks also for listening to me when i needed to bounce my thoughts off someone.. :P

Thank you and I love you all heaps :)

Night of Stars

So I didn't actually said everything I wanted to say during the Night of Stars (someone must have sprayed some pepper spray coz my eyes started to itch and my voice broke apart) =) That kinda threw me off track and I forgot what I wanted to say. So here is the text of my speech and I hope it encourages you =)

Let me take you back 3.5 years ago. A fresh first year international student, very excited but not quite sure what to expect. Everything was foreign to me and the people were a lot whiter than what I'm used to back home. Finding a church that I could feel belong to was among the first few things that I set to do. Few weeks rolled by and I can't really say I found one. Somehow rather randomly I got connected with Claire. I remember that weekend, I experience my first hail storm the night before. That Sunday, I meet Claire for the first time and we walked to church, which that time was at Girl's High. It was a cold long walk with someone I've never meet before. I can truly say that, the moment I stepped into church, it felt right. I still remember the very first thing Pastor Bernhard said to me. He told me, "Welcome home".

And that's really what it has been. This has been a place I can call my home and each one of you, my family. It has been the best 4 years of my life, with so many memories that will stay with me forever. I'll remember all the camps and camping trips, fishing, the parties and gatherings, the late night talks and non stop laughter, but above all, the friendship and life we shared together.

I remember during one of our life group sessions last year, we were doing a study on wisdom. The ever so wise Ian said this, "The wisest and best decision I've ever made was to come to church". Of course that's where he found Aya, but I'm sure he'll agree with me that church isn't just a place to find the woman of your dreams (although it's a very good place to do that!) =). Being students away from home, each one of you has a choice to come to church or not. Nobody is here to make sure you attend church every Sunday. You might have another two or three years left at uni and it's totally up to you how you live it. For me, the best way to live it is by getting plugged in to the church and build good lasting relationship, not just attending church. God will then take you on an amazing journey. I can truly say that I've been blessed, more than I could ever imagine through the people I've meet here.

*I'll cut the thank you part =) All the best for exams guys

The End Of An Era..

=) ... Well, not quite the end considering exams is just around the corner.. It's been an amazing week to say the least.. There's so many stories to share and each one of it deserves a post on it's own. Maybe, now that it's study break, I might actually write bout each one of it.. Just maybe. For now, I'll let the pictures do the talking..

Birthday!!



Project Day



Night of Stars



And a nice dinner of Paua to end an eventful week.. =D

More pictures on facebook soon..

Love

Love is patient, love is kind.
It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails...

=)

My Dad & I

Was chatting to my dad on msn this morning..

Me: dad, i wanna ask you a question..what can i do to make you proud?
(after 15 minutes of silence)
Dad: who you are and what you've done is already enough to please me..all your achievements are great, but i ask for nothing more than a loving and obedient child

:) yes, I love my dad and I'm not ashame of it!! also a reminder to myself on what makes my parents happy.. :)

A step into the unknown..

So I just read this. These few lines screamed for my attention.

“Hey Ray, that’s what I want for you! I want to take you places you’ve never been. I want you to experience things you’ve never experienced. I want to make you aware of things that you have no idea that even existed. Follow me!”

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it."
Isaiah 30:21

Yes, I’m willing. Please make it easier for people around me… Alright, time to get back into the studying. First paper tomorrow! :)

What Keeps Me Going..

Take my hand to the promise land
And on You I want to stand
‘Cause I cannot do it on my own
You're what I need and I need to be
Right by Your side ‘cause I cannot hide
Lord, I know that I need You

Na na na na na na na na na, I need You
Na na na na na na na na na, I need You

Without You I'm so alone
I am weak but You are strong
You pick me up when I'm falling down
And I am crying
Out to You inside of my heart
I need You, Lord, oh so, for the part
I want You to have my life, Jesus
I fall to my knees
And I'm begging You, please, oh, Lord
Won't You change me
Make me new from the inside out
I want to shout out Your name

Thoughts

Was emailing this guy and sharing with him whats happening in my life. Here's some interesting stuff that he mentioned.

• Run towards something, not away from something.
• Girls.. they all get old! Find someone that will love you and be faithful. Don't find one at all until you're ready to be faithful to her!!

Just some gold nuggets of wisdom to share :)

The Pursuit of Happiness II

Due to the number of response I get in my last post, I felt it's only right to write on what I've learn in my journey so far.

• Get to know the girl first and ask the BIG question when you know its not just infatuation and you are prepared to take the relationship up another level
• It comes down to a point where you just have to take the risk. Just a note for the girls out there, when a guy decides to pop the question, it takes tremendous courage. He is putting himself on the line..pride and dignity, something we value alot! (But obviously you are worth alot more than that, so we'll gladly take the risk ;) ) So even if the guy is rejected, kudos to him for taking that brave step.
  
• The guy has to always be one step ahead of the girl in the relationship. Take the lead and make her feel special :)
• Respect her as though you would respect a sister. Also, don't mess with her, she could be someone else wife in the future!
• Have a group of man that would pray for you as pursue that special one. (I'm glad there are plenty of guys I can talk to and be vulnerable with in this matter. Thanks for the support buddies!!)
• If she is uncomfortable with the whole thing and just wants to remain friends, respect that! Again.. RESPECT the girl!!
• Make sure the lady shares the same values. Very important that both have their priorities right.
  
• Pray, pray and pray more! Right now, I'm praying that that lady would grow closer to God and somehow thinks that I'm ridiculously good looking ;)
  

This post serves as a reminder to myself, to keep me in line with my belief and moral. You have total right to disagree. Post a comment and I would love to hear from you :) Thanks to those who responded to my last post. There are lots more points to consider in regarding to relationship, but these are just the few that I need to remind myself at this stage. So please don't take this as a blueprint on how to pursue a lady :)

I SURVIVED!!!

So I made it.. :)

This was what i went through last week. 6 assessment due in 5 days, one after another, among which are a 3000 word work report, 40% design assignment, 2 test worth 20% and 25% each and the designing and modelling a go-kart suspension system ready and fit to be manufactured (can't wait for race day!)..

After quite a few late nights in uni, reality sinks in and I came to the conclusion that this is not doable.. Amazing huh, how at your lowest point God picks you up and takes care of everything. Thats when the bible verse in the previous post (see below) really came to life for me. Indeed I came to a point where I gave up and surrendered it all to God. The sense of peace is just indescribable.. As days pass, all of a sudden things aren't that difficult anymore.. I mean it's not like i just don't care and let God take care of it. But rather than feeling like jumping in front of a car everytime i cross the road, it all seems very manageable. It was still hard, but it helps knowing theres a big guy covering your back ;)

Now that the madness is finally over (for the next one week at least), I'm looking forward to a good rewarding break. Maybe the next few days would be just relaxing but i'm looking forward to building relationship with people, going into the wild and exploring the unknown (Abel Tasman here i come!!YEAH!!) and futsal! All that stress should give that ball a good beating..better if it ends up in goal (hopefully not anyone's face or bum)..Sadly it'll be all work again after that but i'm gonna enjoy my holiday! Oh and also I'm borrowing Nisarg's PS2, so swing by to hang out if any of you are keen!

Alright, time to hit the sack. Only had 3 hours sleep last night. I miss my bed..

He told me..

He told me,

My grace is enough; it's all you need.
My strength comes into its own in your weakness.

Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ's strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become.

2 Corinthians 12:9-11

One BIG Garden of Sound

So I've been back from what could be the best weekend of my life! Yeah, thats a big call I know, and as I'm writing this entry, I struggle to find the right words to express myself. 4 days, over 40 bands, 9 stage and 25 000 people!! And thats the number of people camping over the weekend.. Thousands more came for the day for the main bands namely Switchfoot, Hillsongs United, Israel, Leigh Nash and a whole lot more.

Highlights of the festival for me :

• Imagine this..25 000 people all dancing and singing their hearts out.. wait, maybe you don't get me.. I mean EVERYONE, all the 25000 people there! At one point during one of the main sessions, I turned around and I dont see a single person standing still. Such a joyful atmosphere..
• Leigh Nash was just soooo lovely. For those who don't know her, she is the lead singer for Sixpence None The Richer (and she broke the news to us that the band is coming back together).
  
• It's amazing how all the bands are just so humble. Leigh Nash in particular kept saying thank you and you just know how much she means it. If she was 10 years younger, I'd ask her to marry me! lol.. Switchfoot are cool too, they're so passionate bout what they do.
• It was a good time catching up with friends from Christchurch. A total of 15 of them made the journey up here

I think the main highlight of the festival for me was going through the Mission Experience (something like One Life Experience).. It gave me a renewed sense of purpose.

Copying the Mastercard advert:

Parachute ticket: $140
Food over the weekend: $20
The joy and fun : Priceless.. :)

more pictures available here