16th January

I turn 25 today. 

I have lived, 

1,304.4643 weeks

9,131.25 days

219,150 hours

13,149,000 minutes

788,940,000 seconds

788,940,000,000 milliseconds

That's a lot of time huh? This whole week I've been pondering much about these past 25 years, how I have lived it, and my future, how I would live it. It's scary how time plays with you, it likes to throw curve balls, like "If only(s)", "then I could have(s)", and "but I'll never know(s)". Memories of the past and visions of the future filled my mind so much so it has caused me to have mood swings, monologues and mental overload…hahaha…gosh, never get a melancholy to think too much, it can kill them, literally. 

As the day drew nearer, I was filled with more feelings of uncertainty and fear. I don't want to turn 25, I don't want to celebrate this year, I'm not ready to be 25, I'm not fit to be 25. It has been nothing but uninspiring. I even googled about turning 25! Yes I'm turning nuts. Lo and behold, I'm not the only one who's having a quarter-of-a-century-life-crisis. It seems, turning 25 does impact many people in a deep way. 

I found people talking about seeing their friends achieving their dreams, getting that dream job, going round the globe doing great things, getting married to the love of their life, having kids that their crazy about, etc. It's always about making your life count for something, trying to bring meaning and fulfillment to this life, making it significant…and I identify with the writers. 

Have I lived enough? Have I done enough up till this very moment? I don't know. Will I overcome tomorrow? Will I achieve tomorrow? I don't know. Come to think about it, I really will never know what the past, present or future has held, is holding, or will hold.  But as I write this, I am so SO challenged to count my blessings, I am challenged to fight hard, I am challenged to hope, I am challenged to dream, I am challenged to love, I am challenged to have faith.

God, thank you for these 25 years, it has been quite a journey. To my family and friends, I thank God He has placed each and everyone of you in my life. May I continue to bless Your heart all the days of my life, and to bless and inspire everyone around me. Thank you everyone for your birthday wishes and prayers.

Back in 1987, I was FAT :D

Use Somebody Skit

The stage was transformed for the conference :)

Conference Intro Video:

Use Somebody Skit

When I first heard this song 'Use Somebody' by Kings of Leon, I fell in love with the song straight away. At that time the musical side of stuff totally ringed with me. Didn't really give much thought at first about the lyrics but eventually did some reading up about it. The writer wrote this when the band was on tour. He talks about how lonely it can get on the road and that he could use somebody. That got me thinking, the amount of lonely people in the world or the amount of people in need in the the world are crying out for the exact same thing?

In line with Live.Revolution: Amplified, Youth Conference 2009 (click icon on sidebar, top right), this would be a great opportunity to share the message. So we hurriedly gather some people and work out the ideas with only 3 or 4 practices. It was crazy with the amount of time and resources we had but it was all worth it :) You know me la, 10 practices would be ideal…hahaha…we did some boo boos here and there but everyone did great!

We kinda gave the song a new perspective, that talks about everybody in the world needs someone to love or to be loved. It's just the way God has wired us to be. Every single person may seem fine busy running their own lives on the outside, but on the inside, we are all crying out for something more, it could be for someone to take notice of their needs, or for love maybe, some could be for answers, to others peace and comfort, etc. So as young Christian people, what are we doing with our lives? Really... John 14:12 talks about we are meant to do greater things, and our lives are not our own, for we are created by Him and for Him  - Col 1:16. Are we living up to Luke 10:27 - "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, love your neighbor as yourself" ?

So in the skit, we've portrayed all sorts of people from different backgrounds/ lifestyles. These are the people that are constantly surrounding us EVERY SINGLE DAY but we never really take notice coz they are just…there. They could be the maid in your house, the road sweeper that comes by every alternate days to your neighborhood, the foreign guard that guards your neighborhood entrance, your colleague in the next cubicle, perhaps the tea lady who takes care of the office pantry, the cashier who waits on you at the shopping mall counter, the person who takes your parking ticket at the exit of the carpark basement, or maybe the friend in class who seems so unapproachable, or your teacher who tries to teach you. You will see the characters are just living up to their everyday normal lives, busy with their routines, trying to cope with everyday pressures and expectations. They may seem normal but on the inside, they are crying out.

In the third verse, I kinda made it sarcastic about what the writer was saying oppose to the Refugees we portrayed at that point of the music. Personally it suddenly makes our problems look so small. At the end of the skit, you will see that actually, everyone has struggles. Nobody is exempted from it. So why not we (who have struggles) help one another? We just need to stop, wake up, and look around us, get out of our own way to love the person next to us, wherever you are, be it at home, in class, at work, in your click, etc.

I'll be honest, I have been very challenged till today to stop living selfishly and humble myself to impact my world. This life is too short to live for myself. I hold the Answer for the person next to me. I hope you'll not only enjoy this video, but be challenged, inspired and changed. God bless you :)

P.s. Sometimes the simplest of gestures i.e. a smile or a "thank you" can really bless someone.

Video:

The cast in "character":

Out of character:

Blessed 2010

Music Theory Joke

To all you musicians and music lovers out there, this one is for you!

"C, E-flat and G go into a bar. The bartender says, "sorry,
but we don't serve minors." So E-flat leaves, and C and G
have an open fifth between them. After a few drinks, the
fifth is diminished and G is out flat. F comes in and tries
to augment the situation, but is not sharp enough.

D comes in and heads for the bathroom saying, "Excuse me.
I'll just be a second." Then A comes in, but the bartender
is not convinced that this relative of C is not a minor.
Then the bartender notices B-flat hiding at the end of the
bar and says, "Get out! You're the seventh minor I've found
in this bar tonight."

E-Flat comes back the next night in a three-piece suit with
nicely shined shoes. The bartender says, "you're looking
sharp tonight. Come on in, this could be a major
development." Sure enough, E-flat soon takes off his suit
and everything else, and is au natural.

Eventually C sobers up and realizes in horror that he's
under a rest. C is brought to trial, found guilty of
contributing to the diminution of a minor, and is sentenced
to 10 years of D.S. without Coda at an upscale correctional
facility."

Upgrade

Wohoo! Getting an internet line upgrade tomorrow for only extra RM 10! I'll be surfing the web with my new 2Mbps connection! Hmm...now the question is, what to do with all that speed ar?

Greater Things

So, on our last day of our Live.Revolution:Amplified Conference, I decided to donate my organs.

It feels scary and weird all at the same time. Although your parts will only be given after you're gone, but it felt as though I was giving it on the spot, watching my heart beating in my hands while I hand it over to the registration counter...hahahaha...I figured, what if my organs can give someone else a second chance in life you know? That will probably be my last greater thing that I can do for someone even after my death.

After that I was still a little shocked that I made that decision but moved on to doing the next greater thing the next day; Investing in my future by faith with the little that I have. Finally got me home gears! I pray God will multiply these investments of faith beyond what I can imagine! I'm contemplating of doing another greater thing this season, not sure yet, will blog about it if I do :D

Sigh...

Went to this Mod branch at Subang Parade and found this sign right outside at the entrance for all to see...One Malaysia?