Back to 'School'?

My last post was 'The I Heart Revolution' by Joel Houston. Make no mistake about it. It has been 7 months since I updated my beloved blog. In fact, as I was logging in, there was a slight worry that the blog may have by any chance been suspended due to inactivity (like my Maybank account after 1 year being in Australia). Well, it hasn't - and I'm back to make a "long awaited comeback".

I guess I owe an explanation to you as a "loyal fan" if indeed you are/were on the delay. But it's the new year and explanation/excuses would not convince anyone most of the times. Of course, the last half a year or so was a period of tremendous change in my life. For one, I finally graduated from Uni. I can officially declare myself as a LLB holder/a graduate/ a degree holder and what not, but I was told it doesn't mean much in this part of the world. Moving on, I've also embarked to pursue a new cert - the Certificate of Legal Practice (CLP) in Brickfields Asia College (I shall not put in the url here as my adopted policy of not advertising for ANY private institutions since KDU misled me into doing so for my school magazine without any remuneration). CLP is notorious for its low passing rate so you can understand my situation. More importantly, I am also currently in my first job (permanent) at a law firm. So this is the long awaited new season in my life and perhaps it has passed the transitional period that I have decided to start blogging again (hopefuly I will endure to post several more within this few months).

Fast forward to 2008, I have already worked for 5 'whooping' months already and it was an awesome experience! to say the least. I have had my fair share of the busy days, the boring days, the excursion days (meeting clients with my boss) and challenging days (mistakes,mistakes,mistakes!)- but I am not sacked yet/not fired - now that's what I called an achievement. And as a matter of tradition and as well as a "taking-stock" thing, it is good to review the past year and preview the coming 12 months.

2007

Breaking Chains and Rising Up was the theme for my 2007. To a certain extend I have broken chains and rose up - but perhaps I could have done better. Making meaningful and great new friends and exploring a new place at another part of the world seems to be the highlight for most part of the first half of the year. And jumping into working-life in the second half was a blown-away and challenging experience as well. I thank all my friends in Tassie, in Malaysia (2001_Youth7 & others), as well as my family and the most supportive and loving Yean- Love you all. Most of all, I thank the Good Lord for taking me through both the challenging, the exciting, the saddening, the happy moments of '07 -To God be the Glory.

2008

Already it had been a eventful year for a few (Chua Soi Lek and The Royal Commission, for instance). And with CLP exams in July, it will be a year to be reckoned as well. They say it's good to put down all your resolutions come the new year, I find listing them down here a little uncomfortable- but enough said- the quote below does reflect my wishes and dreams and aspirations for 2008 - Year of the Rat:

To laugh often and much; To win the respect of intelligent people and the
affection of children; To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the
betrayal of false friends; To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; To
leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a
redeemed social condition; To know even one life has breathed easier because you
have lived. This is to have succeeded.

- "What is Success?” by Bessie Anderson
Stanley in Heart Throbs Volume Two (1911) Edited by Joseph Mitchell Chapple

Happy New Year 2008 - Sincere Wishes from a Friend who Cares

Breaking the chains and Rising Up in 2007

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2007. It's been awhile, but my blog is "activated" once again. 2006 seems to have brought loads of good memories to the people around me-- and I have to admit it had been an amazing year for me as well. Though it's difficult for me to explain this part of the "journey", one thing for certain is the fact I'm here in Hobart is indeed a great miracle and and amazing blessing.

And as I turn from looking behind me to looking forward, the long and winy road stares back, but deep in my heart and right from my mouth I will proclaim 2007 and the years ahead would be many battles won, many fantastic experience, and of course much love to give and receive. In between this blog and my last blog, I was actually quite busy with work... work... work... yet it meant I did have lots of time to think, so I do have a lot to write if I will to do so (but I'd prefer to keep this short and sweet for you to enjoy the picture above).

Which brings me to Superman. Heck, I'm a great fan of superman but I'm not gonna talk about him- rather I'm gonna talk about the verse that would so guide me and spur me in 2007.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endure the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not gow weary and lost heart.

These verses in Romans 12 have always been of great inspiration to me. The words are just so apt to convict me of that RACE that I so often got weary and stopped (like the hare in the story), yet the author of Hebrews asks us to persevere our race of faith, this done through the continuous fixing of eyes on our Lord and Saviour.

I will be elaborating more on these verses throughout the year, really- both using my understanding and experience, through the Spirit's guidance. But one last time, in which my OCF brother Yoong Sing had aptly suggested- start each big plan with small ones- don't just start a new year with a new resolution, but rather, start each new day with a new revelation.
"His mercies are new every morning..." & "Those who hope in the Lord... will renew their strength... they will rise up on wings like eagles..."

Enjoy the picture and ponder upon why I put it there. I've got a much nicer and real-er version of it on the wall at the side of my table- with the verses on it. Constant reminder.