The value of being truthful

I, as a human, sometimes makes mistake, though I always make sure that I am truthful as best as I know the situation. Being truthful gives a person confidence, and provides for a more joyous life. On Tuesday, I went to collect my leather shoe from the cobbler, and I have to produce my receipt to receive my newly repaired shoes. However, I misplaced my receipt and therefore could not produce the receipt to him. I have to rely on my information about the shoes or lose the chance to collect the shoes. I told him my receipt number is 226 and the shoe is a Keynote. He further check with me by asking what the shoe needs for repair, and I pleasantly told him that the shoe needs stitching at the soles. While, with that answer, I received my pair of shoes, and I am glad by that. My confidence is there, and I guess he sensed the honesty in me, to give me my pair of shoes. For me, I understood that being honest for a long time gives me the confidence to collect that shoe in that manner. For now, I hope that all of us embrace truthfulness and this allows the world to be more trustable to us. Enjoy, and embrace the virtue of truthworthiness, for a truthful man can see more of God's faithfulness and peace.

A sermon of peace

Today, I went to Church in the afternoon at 5pm. Pastor Vincent address us, as his people, on the topic of hearing God's voice. Well, on this, I do not mean God directly talks to us, though through our inspiration and our circumstances, we may understand His divine plan which is perfect. Human plan, however beautiful they are, is not as ideal, as God's holy plan. Therefore, listen and surrender. A man who is busy is productive, though when a person understand why he has to do something, or not do something, is all in accordance to a divine purpose that creates value. For instance, a man may think he has a good plan, but does he knows the weather, the people in the place he wants to go, the opportunity cost of the trip, of another possible better course of action, that some of his family or loved one may actually need him at that point of time? Well, due to unforeseen factors, a man's plan may not actually be the best. However, God knows all this, and knows how this may affect the future, therefore yield and receive the gift of life from God, for all life is made before birth ideal for a joyous lifetime. All man are actually supposed to be blessed, only through a good and pure life, and knowing God's great love, may man receive his humble and truly sufficient heritage. Now, to listen, requires peace, composure, and to some, even meditation. Quieten our hearts, dear friend of peace, and receive from God our gift of life.

A walk in the neighbourhood with two German Shepherds

Friday is one of those days when I realised the wonders and joy of taking a shower. Well, in the morning, I decided to study first, with intermittent resting in between. The time is quite late when I decided to take a shower, and while showering is good, the feel after the rest is that of refreshment and rejuvenation. The environment may be the same, though the aura I felt is now of energy and life, much better and lighter. I feel younger too, even though I am considered young at my age. The feel of cool air on myself is truly invigourating after a shower. Yes, I should have taken a shower earlier. With renewed energy, I went to my studies.
After a while, I did some research on science, and I am glad for the new inventions on the horizon. For instance, light bulbs that is safer and long-lasting, yet requires less energy than our energy saving florescent light bulb. Biofuel technology is fast becoming a reality, with new development in corn storage tank and corn fuel, as well as enzymes that may be used to create the oil from plants. For now, I am imaging that enzymatic conversion of fuel to energy may be a safer way, cleaner and more efficient than burning fossil fuel. I think enzyme will be more responsive to biofuel instead of fossil fuel, and as biofuel are renewable and cleaner than fossil fuel, that may be a good way for technolgy to progress. This is promising as enzyme can be heat-resistant and manufactured easily.
The life-giving factor of the day is walking with my German Shepherd. While taking a shower and doing interesting research gives life to our existence, walking a German Shepherd is a joy that is truly serene, nature-embracing and lovely. I find great purpose in developing another life, as a German Shepherd needs exercise for its well-being. Walking with a German Shepherd is both good for the owner's health and the dog's health, and both the owner and the dog breeds a certain kind of compassionate bonding that is wonderful to experience. I am thankful to my parents for allowing me the joy of a German Shepherd. Sometimes, just observing them is a great joy, for life is a miracle, and being in the companionship of another life is truly healing. As for me, I love the times my German Shepherd ask for a belly rub, folds its ear in respect, raise its ear in alertness, shake my hand in politeness, wag its tail in joy. Even a German Shepherd breathing patterns is an experience to appreciate. The truly faithfulness and love a German Shepherd can showers on owners is an inspiring story by itself, and we humans should bolsters that for a meaningful and trustworthy life, whether in relationships or in business.
At night, I talked to my junior college friend, Ningyi, on the topic of religion, and well, we believe the experience is fruitful. For us, we live in Singapore, where all religion are embraced and expressed equally well, and I think that is a crucial step for peace in this world of diversity.

A sustainable environment for a sustainable future

Today happens to be a typical study day for me. I plan to study Principles of Accounts, a subject where honesty, integrity and a sound mind is needed. I believe that an accountant has to be accurate with their facts, unbiased with their opinions, and positive with their analysis. At the same time, reality and report must match, therefore accountant have to be realistic and accurate in their accounting, which obviously requires a honest and truthful mind.
After a vegetarian lunch of Sayur and Longtong, I found an old friend, Anthony, from my secondary school days, online in MessengerServiceNetwork. I decided to talk to him about science, as I understand he is science oriented, and I can help him there. Therefore, I mention about life cycle to him, for I feel glad to share this wonderful concept with him, hoping he understands about the preciousness of life. Then I continue with the synergy and harmonic relationship between man and nature. Anthony understood the golden concept of adaptability and I respect him for that. I value-added to his conversation about the sustainablity effort we have to uphold to give future generations a sustainable life of joy on Earth. Obviously, trees are a key resource to balance the Earth's climate, and we need to conserve trees or have reforestation programs. Anthony told me that Australia is now promoting the sale of energy efficient light bulb. Then, I think, science is theory, and this theory becomes valuable because the theory can be put into practice, and benefit the quality of life that man have. I briefly mention the effects of enzymatic digestion of fuel for energy, and finding a new catalytic that is more energy efficent and the use of a new fuel like biofuel, the kind of concern that modern day man needs to take good care of. Well, I am no longer in the science field, as I am now doing accounting and finance, to prepare for a business, though with good money, I may invest in science that gives an economic return for the friendliness the science provide for man and environment. Well, do notice that science is full of theory, and theory comes from the root word of "Theo" which means of God, and therefore man knows that science is a great gift from God to man, and we, as humans, must love God with our science. Let's start by loving our environment and nature around us, always in a peaceful way.

Chinese New Year with my parents

On tuesday, which is the third day of Chinese New Year, I went shopping in the morning with my Daddy. My Daddy may be in his 50s, though I can tell he has a youthful heart, and he was grooving to the music in the car. I enjoyed his presence. I notice that Chinese music is now more versatile, and the Chinese incorporate a broader spectrum of other culture's style into their own music. Well, I guess this is the trend that youngsters of today love. We continued to do our shopping, and I decided to buy a pineapple as my Daddy love pineapple.

Later in the afternoon, I went to have an afternoon nap in my room. Both my parents decided to sleep too. I realised a health benefit about napping in the afternoon, helps strengthen the body immune system and this keeps us healthy. Well, I guess retired people may want to incorporate an afternoon nap to be healthy so that they can live longer, about two to three hours is enough.

In the evening, my parents and I went to Paragon to take care of the Singapore Airline issue with his Solitaire Card. In the car, my Daddy lectured on the idea of a still and blissful mind, on the idea of having a peaceful state of being. He took a quote from Deepak Chopra book of the 7 spiritual law of success. Later, we went to Mustafa centre, and we bought our dinner, as well as health supplements and two shavers. I am glad lots of Indian restaurant in Singapore cater to vegetarian, and this is a joyous thing. For dinner, I am beginning to enjoy salad, with the Italian Extra Virgin Sauce, and this is a good start for me. My mum has always been a fan of salad.

After dinner, we played Cashflow, and the game went well. For me, I made sound decision, though I realised that I did not maxmize my opportunity for I decided to play safe. Both my Daddy and me love to do charity in the game. For the winner, I guess my brother's girlfriend, Cyan, won, for she is fortunate to have a good stock decision plan. My Daddy is going back to Indonesia, and I hope to see him soon. I am grateful to God for my Chinese New Year.

Our family visit grandfather's memorial today

Today is a meaningful day for us. The second day of Chinese New Year is a day to visit relatives and friends. For us, as we have only one relative family in Singapore and we have already met each other for a reunion dinner the night before, therefore my father decided that a good thing to do this day is to visit EngKong's memorial and I, myself, is glad, for I understand the meaning of respect to elders, and we have yet to visit EngKong for a long time. I drove in the morning with my father to Siglap, where we have a MacDonald breakfast, and later, we bought some offering to our ancestor. I understand that this is my father's tradition, and I, as a Christian, do not follow this practice. A Christian should still pay respect to their ancestors, through the offering of a flower, in the light that love is with those who have already passed on in this life. Today, my whole family went to see EngKong, and I appreciate my father's dedication and piousness to pray for Engkong and Grandpa(material) well-being. I, too, prayed in the Christian way, for my EngKong's and Grandpa's well being. For me, I know that while there are many religions on Earth, all are part of the interpretation of God's sovereignty and human destiny to worship God.
The tradition to pay respect to our ancestor is something that I rever, for different cultures have different ways of ancestral respect. For the Western culture, the descendents usually give a flower to commemorate love, while the Chinese burns paper offering to the ancestor for their well-being. One thing I learn today, is that in Eastern Europe, the descendents will lit a candle for their ancestors, and replenish the candle to show their unwavering love. Human truly are lovely, for our parents care for us when we are young, and we care for them when they are old, and this goes on in a cycle of blessing and care. Human are blessfully situated in this flowing stream of life and we, as human, cherish this wonderful gift.

My father arrival home

Remember Finding Nemo? The cartoon movie that foretells a story of a clownfish who travells a long distance to be reunited with his father. Well, this cartoon touch my heart and resonates a joyful chord in me. My father is a business who works for a conglomerate in Indonesia, mainly in the palm oil industry, and he is a industrious man. Business makes him lively and ongoing. As my family is situated in Singapore, my Daddy is segregated from my family, though he loves to visit us once a month. I feel loved whenever he returned home. My Daddy loves us, and whenever he returns home, he will bring a tub of soap from Indonesia for our family supply. Sometimes, he travells to Jakarta first, to see grandmother, and one of my Daddy's best virtue is that of filial piety. Therefore, everytime when my Daddy is in Singapore, I will not arrange outings with my friends, so that I can be with my father.
Remember Finding Forester? Now, this is not too reknown as a movie, though I can say this is one of the best movie I have seen in my life. The best part of this movie is the storyline. The first thing I have to mention is that Jamel, a bright writer found solace in his mentor, Forester, and this is like the relationship of my father and me, for he taught me a lot about this world, especially about keeping my integrity and always speaking well and clean, and to love my parents and grandparents a lot. I will always embrace Daddy in my heart.
On the 17th of February, my father returned home, and our father enjoyed the presence of home. As usual, my mom and me waited for him at the airport, and we have our birthday cake treat, courtesy of my birthday, as I decided to wait for my Daddy to return in order to celebrate this joyous occasion with him.

An ideal day of studying

I truly have to thank God for yesterday. The day is ideal for me. I enjoyed the entire day, morning to night. In the morning, I checked the email, and received an email from my mom about Deepak Chopra. He mentioned about the thoughts in our mind becoming rejuvenated by meditation.

"Meditation, particularly with a mantra, leads the mind to ever more subtle levels of silence and stillness. As the mantra comes and goes in one's awareness, it begins to seek still subtler levels of thought until eventually thought is left behind. Because it is no longer caught up in thoughts of any kind, the mind is exposed to its own deepest nature, to pure awareness. The silence of pure awareness is extremely refreshing to the mind, which finds it increasingly easy not to cling to old thought patterns; rigid habits of thinking begin to fall away of their own accord. When this happens, the mind is actually healing, creating, rejuvenating, and renewing itself.

Today, with a sense that I do not actually think, just still my mind, and experience awareness. I just felt peace and calm inside. I did the grocery shopping with the house servant. A good time, for I understand service is joy. I have a can of heaven and earth green tea as a result. Truly refreshing beverage. After a meal of KimChi noodle in the afternoon, I studied Economics and I understand the concepts easily. My mind seems to have been renewed after a night rest and the serene feeling of awareness, and the studying process has been fun. My guitar playing experiences is also enjoyable today, though my techniques and confidence needs touch-up. In the evening, I walked the German Shepherd and that experience brings about joy and peace, and with a good well-being, my night day is also productive, and indeed I experienced healing and calmness for the day, which is indeed a wonderful thing. Sometimes, I feel all of us just need to quieten down, rest in peace, and still our mind, and we can experience a calm joy that is valuable to our health. Hope everyone is preparing well for Chinese New Year.

California Fitness

The recent trend in the world is opening of a open house gymnasium for eager to be fit and healthy people in a musical and aerobic exercise goodness. Here, my concerned Daddy enrolled both my brother and me for California Fitness, after my brother expressed initial interest. My mom took a step further in fitness, to enroll us for a lifetime membership, while my mom herself also sign up. My mom has been in good health recently, and this is good, and I, as her son, will continue to encourage her to go exercizing in the gymnasium. For me, I love the feel of exercizing in an air-conditioned room, with the view of a cathedral and the city's bustling skyline when I use the treadmill. Treadmill is good for the heart, and I find my aerobic fitness improved after since I left junior colleage. The instructor, Sofian, told me about the four benefit of exercise, to build cardiovascular strength, to build body muscle, body endurance, and mental stamina, which all adds up to health. The feel of being healthy attracts my family to sign up for the gymnasium member, and my Daddy, who is based overseas, signed up for Celebrity Fitness, a similar fitness club. My Daddy's health has been good, and he is joyfully exercizing regular, and he advices me to do the same. For my friends reading this, gymnasium is just one mean of exercizing, and for generally health, most safe sport will do. Take good care, for health is key to longevity. Smiles.

My valentine birthday

Today is Saint Valentine Day, a day for lovers to congregate in loving grace. I remember the greatest lover, God, and He gave me a good day today. This morning, I am greeted by my brother's piano recital of "MyValentine". I love this. While I was eating breakfast, my mom called and she told me about a proposed vegetarian buffet with a vegetarian friend, aunty Indu, and I was happy. Mum's love is great and calming to my soul. The guitar teacher gave me a song called "All I have to do is Dream" and this song is to me is interpreted as a song to think about a bright and glorious future in an ideal world. As we grow in faith and love, we may one day reach there as a human being. Let's hope for our future, shall we?
The Indian buffet is great. I shall be grateful to God for this. Thank God that I am now a steadfast vegetarian, for this obedience to health and ethics gave me a wonderful meal of pure vegetarian food. Indu read my palm, and she told me that I will marry a beautiful woman, and the two person on Earth that I am closest to is my Mother and my future Wife. At the same time, she say that I have a good fortune, and I know, for this is only palmistry, for this to become reality for me, I have to be faithful to God's law, to follow Jesus's love, to embrace family, and to work effectively and ethically for love.
As today is Saint Valentine Day, I bought a flower pot for my mom. I hope she cherish this and I shall water this for her everyday. I am grateful this day. Birthday is a day for me to understand that Life is to be treasured.

My successful first exam

Monday, the 12th of February, is my first examination in my new university. I am confident about this new examination, which is about essay writing. We have to write four essays, all under the span of 3 hours, which reminds me of my secondary days when we wrote 800 words essay in 1 hour. Here, I have to write a 800 words essay in 45 minutes, and we have to write four of time, one after another. Standards have increased. The better part is, I am still confident.
At 7pm in the evening, we are all saturated, yet, with some energy left, for careful expression. I went in the hall, full of hope, for the examination is my first, and I hope to ace this examination for the confidence factor. I went in, felt the pressure in myself, and I knew the three hours is going to be long and gruelling. I prayed in Christ, for his protection, and his blessing, for peace of mind. I do the questions, write with tenacity, sourcing for ideas, and is more concerned with speed than beauty of prose. I know that content and clarity is important for this examination, and in this sense, I ace this paper for both factor, only that I gave more of my own idea than textbook ideas. Well, I believe that they will accept good ideas. At times, I feel exhausted that I feel the need to stop, and to take in a heavy breath of relief. I prayed at times, wearily, hoping for strength to continue. Unlike my previous exam taking experience, this exam is gruelling. There are times when I am blessed to finish examinations in a breeze, and I feel refresh and energetic after the paper. Anyway, exams are meant to be aced, therefore we ought to take examination in a good light, with love and future in mind.

God's beautiful care for us

I went to Church today, casually and happy. I knew I had the confidence about the exam on Monday, therefore I know I should go to Church to praise God. As I parked my car, I met Stanley, a fellow friend in Christ. I am pleasantly surprised. I really thank God for this arrangement. Stanley is a teacher and he normally goes for 5pm services. He says that he needs to care for his schoolchildren and take them for a joyful excursion in the afternoon, therefore he came to Church early. I commented that modern Church service is really convenience for us, and on holy Sunday, there is three time slot where we can worship God through Christ Jesus. The Pastor today mentioned about perfection of God, and how He can use our weakness to bring us to gain strength in love and virtuous service. I understand God's sovereign wisdom and I just surrender in awe. The Pastor today shared about the how God is just and care for his people. I believe in this and more. God's goodness is beyond imagination, and His Son's Jesus Christ virtue far surpass human virtue in all areas. Well, this is a gentle reminder for us to keep doing good and to grow in love, for we can more clearly see God's beauty. God is in high heaven and from our view, there are clouds that temporarily obscure God's beauty. Only when we quieten our hearts and see love, then the clouds fades, and God's beautiful revelation is shown. Even a flower when viewed with love shows God's grace and beauty. For me, I recently see lots of God's love and beauty in soft toys. Men, a good word of advice, soft is strength for personality and character. Treat people with gentleness.

A handy man

Yesterday is a relatively normal day. I went to do grocery shopping with the house-servant, Mini, and we drove to Loyang Point. There, I passed her a note of fifty dollars, sufficient for the regular grocery shopping, then head my way to the food centre for a cup of strawberry juice, one of my favourite.
I decided to do something extra this time. Knowing that my dear Daddy told me about being a handyman, he did mention about acquiring a new toolbox, and to maintain the toolset, buying some parts here and there as necessary. This is just what I did. Finally, Brian, from a gardener, is going to become a handy man. This is good growth. When the time comes, Brian will be painting his own house, fixing the light, doing some repair work, and constructing Ikea furniture for the household. Smiles. I will report to Daddy when he comes back, and we shall go through the tool list. The house will be safe in my hands.

Midnight Blues

I always share a nice bond with my Penny, my German Shepherd Dog. She is a nice dog, very jovial, eager to express love, and full of affection, and loves tidbits from the owner. I always enjoy her company, and I know as long as I am home, she is there for me. Last night, my mum went to India to attend a wedding in a holy town. For me, that means I am left at home. At first, I felt lost, then I decided to call my Dad for assurance, and I felt better after that. I slept early for I need to get up early the next morning, and I allow my two German Shepherd to sleep in my room. I put the tray of water in place, and the German Shepherd seems well-rested and cozy in the room. I said my night prayer, then went to bed. The time was about twelve mid night, when Penny came over to disturb me, and I woke up. I knew Penny wanted to go out, and I realised that German Shepherd should not be enclosed in a room. I let Penny out, and went back to bed. Soon, she returned happily, though her owner, that is me, could no longer sleep. I just smile, and adore my Penny, for she is a testament of a lovely German Shepherd. I am fortunate I do not need to go to school today.

A peaceful study day

On tuesday, I woke up in the morning to be greeted by my German Shepherd. I really love my German Shepherd dogs. My cute female German Shepherd, by the name of Penny, came to my room, wagging her tail, and she will shower some endearing affection on me, and I will usually pat Penny on her head gently. She enjoys this. Hero, the male German Shepherd, will come to my room, showering me the same treatment. I, too, will pat him as appropiate. This is my morning wake up call. My mum at this time is already awake, for she is the person who let the German Shepherd enter my room.
Gradually, when I finally left the bed, I have my usual dose of Fruit Loops cereal, one of my favourite, and I will read the morning paper. Always, whenever I read the paper, there is always a sense of hope, that the day's news will be pleasant, for this is the world we live in. I remember the time when I read world politics just to know what is going on in the world for my General Paper when I was in Junior College, though now, that hardly interest me. For me, I see science, community development, lifestyle, sports and business, usually the light material that often brightens up my day. I also check for language and content, only reading materials that may benefit me.
Tuesday is the day when I go to my studies. I wrote an essay, one that I enjoy, on Chapter 9 of my text, and I try to write as good as I can, keeping our current reality in mind. Chapter 9 essay question is an easy write, for the content I write is light-hearted, and for human development. I feel joyful and accomplished after writing. My mind, in the process, is still and calm, and I feel relaxed and happy. The environment in my house really suit me well, for I see peace and serenity, and the occasional chirpings of birds gives me joy.

My brother's birthday

Saturday happens to be Rene's birthday. Rene is my young brother, my only natural brother I have in this life. As usual, I have to go to Church for bible study. I have already arranged with my Mum that we can meet in Church to go directly to the Hyatt hotel's restaurant for a meal. Hyatt hotel is really a class of its own, with modern classy feel, with marbles tiled floor and walls, with exotic wood to lace some of the pillars, and there is a complementary blend of nature through a waterfall and an interior stone garden. The meal is good, and I, being a vegetarian, happen to have a good selection of Indian and Indonesian food. My brother celebrates his birthday together with my mum and his girlfriend. We had a good time, though most of the time, we were enjoying the food, and talking is put to a minimal. I mentioned that the aesthetic of the place adopts an Indonesian feel from my angle, though the overall design is comtemporary. My mum's friend happens to be in the restaurant too, and they help us get the waitor to come to our table to sing a rendition of Happy Birthday. My brother is beaming at the honour, and he enjoys a small pandan cake as a complementary gift. He made a birthday wish, and he told me, that he wishes that I am successful in my business. That is really sweet of my brother. I think he enjoys his birthday treat.

Gardening

Brian has been reading about gardening book for a long time. Plants are beautiful, plentiful and holistic. In religion, lots of wise lessons happens under Oak Tree, Sage Tree and in Singapore, probably Angsana Tree. In science, we all know organic matter all derive from tree, through the process of photosynthesis and also, our supply of oxygen. We needs trees and shrubs, and we have to treasure the flora and fauna that we have. Just two days ago, I had a new idea, that is to visit a botanist, to buy some fertilizer for my soil. Hereby, my garden is beautified, through the addition of warm, moist alluvial manure, that may seem normal to man, though works magic in due time. My little flowering plant is withering at first, and I need some nutrients to nourish the plant for beneficial growth. With four kilogram of manure, I used half of this "plant nutrition" in the afternoon for my flowering trees as well as my banana trees. I really love bananas too, and I am joyful that my Dad decided to plant Banana tree. My young Banana tree is sprouting some baby banana, and the banana is green and cute looking. Well, in order to reap the fruits of our labour, we need to be patient. Like Jesus say, good trees produce good fruits. Singapore weather has been fair and kind, as I only need to check the soil.Putting the manure only takes a while, and I was there admiring the garden, full of life, and the chirping of birds resonates with the love of life, and I was glad and happy. I am very appreciate of what I have been given. God provides, have faith!