Say that I am narcissistic or syok sendiri. It's just me playing a collection of Christmas songs, in my own home.
You are (not-very) welcomed to attend (and sit in the open air and listen from the outside of the house).
But anyway, this is roughly the program of that evening.
Tones: An Evening on Christmas Eve II: A Little Fall of Snow?
Part One: Prelude of Sunset & Nightfall
The performance of the evening begins with three slow-paced and soft tunes acting as the overture for the whole recital to welcome the dusk of Christmas Eve.
Johann Pachelbel Canon in D
Traditional The First Noel
Traditional Adeste Fideles with Variations
Part Two: The Warmth over the Fireplace
The recital continues with more modern Christmas music, from traditional to all-time favourites, all with various arrangements.
Mitchell Parish/Leroy Anderson Sleigh Ride
Traditional O Christmas Tree
Traditional Deck the Halls
Jule Styne Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!
James Pierpont Jingle Bells
Mel Torme/Robert Wells The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)
Hugh Martin/Ralph Blane Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
Frank Loesser What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?
Part Three: Reminders of Christmas
The evening comes to a finale with a few more traditional carols, singing praises to Jesus Christ being performed.
Traditional God Rest Ye Merry, Gentleman
French Carol Melody Angels We Have Heard on High
Franz Gruber Silent Night, Holy Night
G.F. Handel Joy to the World
Traditional Amazing Grace
Venue: Little Nights Philharmonic Hall
Date: December 24, 2010
Time: 1900 hours
Sunday, November 28, 2010
#59: An Excursion of Discovery to Petrosains
Well, it's kind of decent and nice to have a revisit to somewhere you've been with a bunch of pals.
So, the excursion went pretty well, and we're quite satisfied.
Proof and evidence? Here's a video of all the pictures (not quite all, but 95% is good enough) and background music (which I hope it will have better effect). LOL
Hopefully there will be more of this in the future. But of course, we couldn't have this next year due to SPM, but maybe after SPM, and next destinations may be decided in the future.
So, the excursion went pretty well, and we're quite satisfied.
Proof and evidence? Here's a video of all the pictures (not quite all, but 95% is good enough) and background music (which I hope it will have better effect). LOL
Hopefully there will be more of this in the future. But of course, we couldn't have this next year due to SPM, but maybe after SPM, and next destinations may be decided in the future.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
#57: My two cents worth in music: When Harmony and Rhythm speaks in tutti
Fron now on, any opinions about music will be labelled: When Harmony and Rhythm speaks in tutti.
(Another lame thing in this blog, huh?)
I believe that harmony can be itself, rhythm can also be itself, but they will never be completed if they don't come together. You listen to any kind of harmony, but they will remain as just harmony, chords or lines of music if there is no rhythm into it. You feel there is some kind of catchy rhythm, but without harmony over it, it will just be beatings only.
The simplest and earliest harmonies in this world has rhythm in it, even rubato is a kind of rhythm, a free rhythm. The most beautiful harmonies in this world will not be beautiful if rhythm were absent.
Strong rhythms in particular genre songs like trance, would not be that catchy if it lacks harmony. It will be mere metronome-ish beatings.
This is an introduction, and now for the opinion.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
If someone ask you, who is your favourite artist, or what do you listen to, what would you reply?
If it's me, I would say something else than Lady Gaga, or Beyonce, or David Archuleta, or Iyaz, or Taio Cruz. It's not Justin Bieber (and forever not!), nor Bruno Mars, nor Taylor Swift, nor any latest pop star in current trend.
Why? Why not?
I realise one fact: You may follow a trend, but that's temporarily.
What genre I listen to then? Well, quite a few actually: adult contemporary, R&B, jazz and vocal.
Not pop. Not rock. Not dance pop. (Although some of them are pretty catchy...)
They give us some sense of calmness, some sense of softness, after one hectic day out there.
They let you think, let you rest, let you truly enjoy music, and not Katy Perry or Ke$ha-type of whorish tunes, out there just to woo your money.
The genres I listed above are the type of music that is worth for my money. And for sure, I will definitely buy a few of those in the future.
Here's some examples of what I'm listening to. The first one, in the spirit of Christmas, is Jingle Bells a la Diana Krall, and it's fantastic! The second one, is by Dido, which is one of my favourite singer of all time. The third one, is a rendition by our Malaysian artiste based in the U.S., her name is Zee Avi.
(Another lame thing in this blog, huh?)
I believe that harmony can be itself, rhythm can also be itself, but they will never be completed if they don't come together. You listen to any kind of harmony, but they will remain as just harmony, chords or lines of music if there is no rhythm into it. You feel there is some kind of catchy rhythm, but without harmony over it, it will just be beatings only.
The simplest and earliest harmonies in this world has rhythm in it, even rubato is a kind of rhythm, a free rhythm. The most beautiful harmonies in this world will not be beautiful if rhythm were absent.
Strong rhythms in particular genre songs like trance, would not be that catchy if it lacks harmony. It will be mere metronome-ish beatings.
This is an introduction, and now for the opinion.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
If someone ask you, who is your favourite artist, or what do you listen to, what would you reply?
If it's me, I would say something else than Lady Gaga, or Beyonce, or David Archuleta, or Iyaz, or Taio Cruz. It's not Justin Bieber (and forever not!), nor Bruno Mars, nor Taylor Swift, nor any latest pop star in current trend.
Why? Why not?
I realise one fact: You may follow a trend, but that's temporarily.
What genre I listen to then? Well, quite a few actually: adult contemporary, R&B, jazz and vocal.
Not pop. Not rock. Not dance pop. (Although some of them are pretty catchy...)
They give us some sense of calmness, some sense of softness, after one hectic day out there.
They let you think, let you rest, let you truly enjoy music, and not Katy Perry or Ke$ha-type of whorish tunes, out there just to woo your money.
The genres I listed above are the type of music that is worth for my money. And for sure, I will definitely buy a few of those in the future.
Here's some examples of what I'm listening to. The first one, in the spirit of Christmas, is Jingle Bells a la Diana Krall, and it's fantastic! The second one, is by Dido, which is one of my favourite singer of all time. The third one, is a rendition by our Malaysian artiste based in the U.S., her name is Zee Avi.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
#56: Order in chaos?: An Open Letter to Zaid Ibrahim
If you notice, I haven't been writing about politics for a while, maybe since the 100-storey mega tower protest.
Alright then, let us get straight to the point.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Recently, we hear news about Zaid Ibrahim pulling out from the run for vice-presidency of the PKR party, and more recently, he has decided to quit PKR on December 16.
According to him, all is to blame Anwar Ibrahim and Azmin Ali.
Now, papers all over the nation are writing about this embarassing issue that is now making the Pakatan Rakyat coalition sounding worse each day.
Dear Zaid Ibrahim, I may agree with you that PKR has dark politics, and there are circles within circles. It is not surprising, as all must be reminded the fact that many PKR members are ex-UMNO members, whom left UMNO to follow Anwar Ibrahim. I may agree with you too, that Anwar Ibrahim is bias when it comes to choosing his successor or carry any duties in the party. Even Anwar admits that too.
But dear Zaid Ibrahim, do learn from history. In the past, there are many examples of biting the bullet to get success. Just look at ancient China, there are too many examples of biting the bullet. One of them, was set in the Spring and Autumn Period, where King of the Yue state, Goujian ate food suited for peasants, forced himself to taste bile, and even sleeping on straws and sticks, to remind him about his humiliations while serving under the State of Wu when Wu defeated Yue. After years of patience and perseverence, Goujian finally got his revenge by defeating the State of Wu.
See the point? Mr. Zaid, be reminded that you joined PKR merely more than a year, and it is considered to be quite lucky to have high posts in the party in immediate effect, when compared to those who do not have such luck and chance. The political world is not the same as the legal world. It is harsher, more difficult, and darker. It is a pity to reach this point of no return because you couldn't bear the secrecy in a political party.
It is normal to have politics in a political party, and maybe that's why they call it a political organisation.
Now, you do not only smeared the good name of PKR (PKR has little good name anyway), you smeared your good name too. People will now regard you as a wimp in the political world, as you are seen as a person that cannot bear the harshness of politics (pardon me for my harshness in my language). Even if you form a new political party, chances are you will share the same fate as Dato' Onn Jaafar, forming new parties after UMNO that did not work.
But, I salute you, for you have been brave of speaking out. But then again, there are examples of Generals in Ancient China that are brave but small-witted, and end up losing battles. Please be wise in the future, and do not repeat the mistakes you've done.
The only hope that we could cherished is that an order will surface among these chaotic situation, and the people will stay strong with Pakatan Rakyat.
Alright then, let us get straight to the point.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Recently, we hear news about Zaid Ibrahim pulling out from the run for vice-presidency of the PKR party, and more recently, he has decided to quit PKR on December 16.
According to him, all is to blame Anwar Ibrahim and Azmin Ali.
Now, papers all over the nation are writing about this embarassing issue that is now making the Pakatan Rakyat coalition sounding worse each day.
Dear Zaid Ibrahim, I may agree with you that PKR has dark politics, and there are circles within circles. It is not surprising, as all must be reminded the fact that many PKR members are ex-UMNO members, whom left UMNO to follow Anwar Ibrahim. I may agree with you too, that Anwar Ibrahim is bias when it comes to choosing his successor or carry any duties in the party. Even Anwar admits that too.
But dear Zaid Ibrahim, do learn from history. In the past, there are many examples of biting the bullet to get success. Just look at ancient China, there are too many examples of biting the bullet. One of them, was set in the Spring and Autumn Period, where King of the Yue state, Goujian ate food suited for peasants, forced himself to taste bile, and even sleeping on straws and sticks, to remind him about his humiliations while serving under the State of Wu when Wu defeated Yue. After years of patience and perseverence, Goujian finally got his revenge by defeating the State of Wu.
See the point? Mr. Zaid, be reminded that you joined PKR merely more than a year, and it is considered to be quite lucky to have high posts in the party in immediate effect, when compared to those who do not have such luck and chance. The political world is not the same as the legal world. It is harsher, more difficult, and darker. It is a pity to reach this point of no return because you couldn't bear the secrecy in a political party.
It is normal to have politics in a political party, and maybe that's why they call it a political organisation.
Now, you do not only smeared the good name of PKR (PKR has little good name anyway), you smeared your good name too. People will now regard you as a wimp in the political world, as you are seen as a person that cannot bear the harshness of politics (pardon me for my harshness in my language). Even if you form a new political party, chances are you will share the same fate as Dato' Onn Jaafar, forming new parties after UMNO that did not work.
But, I salute you, for you have been brave of speaking out. But then again, there are examples of Generals in Ancient China that are brave but small-witted, and end up losing battles. Please be wise in the future, and do not repeat the mistakes you've done.
The only hope that we could cherished is that an order will surface among these chaotic situation, and the people will stay strong with Pakatan Rakyat.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
#55: On the Morning of Hari Raya Aidiladha......
I woke up before the azan for Maghrib prayers sounded. This was the result of 13 hours of sleep from 4.30 p.m. yesterday, after 4 days and 3 nights in Sabak Bernam. After waking up, I ran around 4 kilometres.
Now, for what-happened-during-the-leadership-camp part.
On the first day of the camp, all Petaling Utama participants were gathered at the stadium MBPJ in Kelana Jaya at around 12. We embarked the bus and started the journey at 1 p.m..
Did I mention the Wei-Han-did-not-bring-the-second-tent-because-he-thought-the-tent-is-a-spare-tent-and-not-significant-enough-to-bring incident? Oops.
The journey took 3 hours, including a stop at Sabak Bernam town, not to mention the journey is relatively bumpy too. (What the heck is wrong with the suspensions of the bus?)
In the bus, a Malay radio station broadcast was heard, some people gave forty winks, others brought along a book to read, or listen to mp3.
Upon reaching Sabak Bernam, the bus gave many dramatic pauses, which made some of us thought that we reached the place, and they were false pauses. The SBPISB (in full: Sekolah Berasrama Penuh Integrasi, Sabak Bernam) was so secluded, and hid behind plots of oil palm plantations. If you search Google Maps for this school, you will be surprised-it is located at the edge of Selangor, literally!
Anyway, we eventually reached the venue, and to our surprise, the school is HUGE. The land area of the school can accommodate two SMJK Katholik of Petaling Jaya. Wow!
So, we disembarked the bus, and waited until the Camp Commander calls us to assemble at the assembly ground, which is a wide empty car park lot in front of the administration block. We went to the activity hall for registration and sorting of groups. Then, we were required to pitch the tents.
Now, here's the unlucky part starts. (Actually, the no-luck starts when Wei Han did not bring the second tent.) We asked this two guys from SMK Sri Permata (same district), Nicholas and Zhi Quan whether they were willing to share the tent I brought and give their two men tent to Sook May and Jia Shin. They agreed. We started to pitch the tent, but to our horror, the rods were disconnected, as the elastic string is flawed. We tried to ignore this flaw, but it failed. So, the two guys got back their tent, leaving SMJK Katholik representatives having NO TENT. So, the girls have to split and sleeping at different tents, and so were me and Wei Han. Initially, Wei Han moved into Nicholas and Zhi Quan's tent, and I have nowhere to go but temporarily leaving the bag outside their tent, and went to take a bath.
After dinner, we started the ice breaking event, which we carried out activities with the group sorted. First was sitting in lines and massage and pinch the person in front in two styles, the "Counselling Teacher Style" and the "Discipline Teacher Style". Then, we were sitting in circles discussing about the group's trademark (as in cheer etc.)
Then it was bed time, and Wei Han decided to move out because the two men tent was cramp. The teacher-in-charge of the Petaling Utama district have found two tents which had vacancy. Wei Han slept in a 10 men tent, whereas I slept with two Malay guys in a 4 men tent. The guys were friendly and welcomed me into their tent.
And just as I thought I could sleep in the open air without any tent (if that's the worst case scenario), the rain came, accompanied by strong winds. The tent I slept was stable during the strong wind, but we hardly could sleep because there were noises outside. Soon, after the rain and the wind, it became silent.
Eventually, I slept until the two guys woke up to get ready for solat Subuh. Roughly 3-4 hours of sleep. When the sun lighted the place, it was clearly seen that one tent in front of Wei Han's tent collapsed, and Wei Han's tent was not in good shape either.
There were calls to ring the siren to signal the arrival of the storm, but the Camp Commander said that it was just winds only. Then, we proceeded to listening talks after morning. The first talk was dozing, the second one however, let me made known to many people. After lunch, it was a workshop to create documentation of a club/society.
After that, it was outdoor activities, where groups were competing in various "sports" events, like coconut bowling and brick-leaping events. After that, we were released for dinner. When muslims went for their solat Maghrib, we went to attend a Morale Education session, which was interrupted by the intrusion of some wasps. Then, everyone attended a talk by a police officer in the same hall, which was interesting and quite engaging.
That night, it was cold, but no strong winds.
The following morning, I woke up late (probably because they did not play the reciting of al-Quran verses like the day before) and so were the two other guys. Fortunately, the assembly time was postponed from 7.00 a.m. to 7.40 a.m.. Then, the time before lunch was rocket-production (from plastic bottles), and after lunch was rocket launching competitions. Each group were required to make two: one for accuracy, the other which has parachute function, was tested on how long could it stay on air. The first one made my group quite proud, but the second one is just plainly pathetic (imagine the rocket fall on the sky helplessly).
Then, it was time to "clean up yourselves" and muslims went for solat Maghrib after dinner, whereas non-Muslims went to attend another Morale Education session by another teacher. After that, it was Cultural Night (directly translated from Malam Kebudayaan) and groups performed performances ranging from sketches to singing to dances to even alternative music from recycled materials. My group's theme was "P. Ramlee's time" and so we made a concentrated version of Bujang Lapuk. I am the father of the daughters (which were kidnapped and later saved by three men) and also the silat instructor.
Then, it was bedtime, and this time, no rain and no winds.
Next morning, we were required to clean up the venue, pack the tents and then change into uniforms for the closing ceremony, and thus ending the whole camp.
Although the camp's duration is the same length as the excursion to Kepala Batas, not much to describe. But still, I met many people over there, and kind of gained an experience. Although it's a pity of not getting a CD which contains the images during the camp, but hopefully memories could stay in my head for a long, long time.
Hereby, I thank those who have helped me during this camp, those who were in the same group with me and those who have shared moments with me. I would like to express my deepest appreciation to Nicholas and Zhi Quan for helping to try to erect the tent although it is faulty, Rico and his partner from SMKTDH for allowing me to share the tent, Wei Han and many more. May the Lord above bless all of you and your journey in life ahead.
Now, for what-happened-during-the-leadership-camp part.
On the first day of the camp, all Petaling Utama participants were gathered at the stadium MBPJ in Kelana Jaya at around 12. We embarked the bus and started the journey at 1 p.m..
Did I mention the Wei-Han-did-not-bring-the-second-tent-because-he-thought-the-tent-is-a-spare-tent-and-not-significant-enough-to-bring incident? Oops.
The journey took 3 hours, including a stop at Sabak Bernam town, not to mention the journey is relatively bumpy too. (What the heck is wrong with the suspensions of the bus?)
In the bus, a Malay radio station broadcast was heard, some people gave forty winks, others brought along a book to read, or listen to mp3.
Upon reaching Sabak Bernam, the bus gave many dramatic pauses, which made some of us thought that we reached the place, and they were false pauses. The SBPISB (in full: Sekolah Berasrama Penuh Integrasi, Sabak Bernam) was so secluded, and hid behind plots of oil palm plantations. If you search Google Maps for this school, you will be surprised-it is located at the edge of Selangor, literally!
Anyway, we eventually reached the venue, and to our surprise, the school is HUGE. The land area of the school can accommodate two SMJK Katholik of Petaling Jaya. Wow!
So, we disembarked the bus, and waited until the Camp Commander calls us to assemble at the assembly ground, which is a wide empty car park lot in front of the administration block. We went to the activity hall for registration and sorting of groups. Then, we were required to pitch the tents.
Now, here's the unlucky part starts. (Actually, the no-luck starts when Wei Han did not bring the second tent.) We asked this two guys from SMK Sri Permata (same district), Nicholas and Zhi Quan whether they were willing to share the tent I brought and give their two men tent to Sook May and Jia Shin. They agreed. We started to pitch the tent, but to our horror, the rods were disconnected, as the elastic string is flawed. We tried to ignore this flaw, but it failed. So, the two guys got back their tent, leaving SMJK Katholik representatives having NO TENT. So, the girls have to split and sleeping at different tents, and so were me and Wei Han. Initially, Wei Han moved into Nicholas and Zhi Quan's tent, and I have nowhere to go but temporarily leaving the bag outside their tent, and went to take a bath.
After dinner, we started the ice breaking event, which we carried out activities with the group sorted. First was sitting in lines and massage and pinch the person in front in two styles, the "Counselling Teacher Style" and the "Discipline Teacher Style". Then, we were sitting in circles discussing about the group's trademark (as in cheer etc.)
Then it was bed time, and Wei Han decided to move out because the two men tent was cramp. The teacher-in-charge of the Petaling Utama district have found two tents which had vacancy. Wei Han slept in a 10 men tent, whereas I slept with two Malay guys in a 4 men tent. The guys were friendly and welcomed me into their tent.
And just as I thought I could sleep in the open air without any tent (if that's the worst case scenario), the rain came, accompanied by strong winds. The tent I slept was stable during the strong wind, but we hardly could sleep because there were noises outside. Soon, after the rain and the wind, it became silent.
Eventually, I slept until the two guys woke up to get ready for solat Subuh. Roughly 3-4 hours of sleep. When the sun lighted the place, it was clearly seen that one tent in front of Wei Han's tent collapsed, and Wei Han's tent was not in good shape either.
There were calls to ring the siren to signal the arrival of the storm, but the Camp Commander said that it was just winds only. Then, we proceeded to listening talks after morning. The first talk was dozing, the second one however, let me made known to many people. After lunch, it was a workshop to create documentation of a club/society.
After that, it was outdoor activities, where groups were competing in various "sports" events, like coconut bowling and brick-leaping events. After that, we were released for dinner. When muslims went for their solat Maghrib, we went to attend a Morale Education session, which was interrupted by the intrusion of some wasps. Then, everyone attended a talk by a police officer in the same hall, which was interesting and quite engaging.
That night, it was cold, but no strong winds.
The following morning, I woke up late (probably because they did not play the reciting of al-Quran verses like the day before) and so were the two other guys. Fortunately, the assembly time was postponed from 7.00 a.m. to 7.40 a.m.. Then, the time before lunch was rocket-production (from plastic bottles), and after lunch was rocket launching competitions. Each group were required to make two: one for accuracy, the other which has parachute function, was tested on how long could it stay on air. The first one made my group quite proud, but the second one is just plainly pathetic (imagine the rocket fall on the sky helplessly).
Then, it was time to "clean up yourselves" and muslims went for solat Maghrib after dinner, whereas non-Muslims went to attend another Morale Education session by another teacher. After that, it was Cultural Night (directly translated from Malam Kebudayaan) and groups performed performances ranging from sketches to singing to dances to even alternative music from recycled materials. My group's theme was "P. Ramlee's time" and so we made a concentrated version of Bujang Lapuk. I am the father of the daughters (which were kidnapped and later saved by three men) and also the silat instructor.
Then, it was bedtime, and this time, no rain and no winds.
Next morning, we were required to clean up the venue, pack the tents and then change into uniforms for the closing ceremony, and thus ending the whole camp.
Although the camp's duration is the same length as the excursion to Kepala Batas, not much to describe. But still, I met many people over there, and kind of gained an experience. Although it's a pity of not getting a CD which contains the images during the camp, but hopefully memories could stay in my head for a long, long time.
Hereby, I thank those who have helped me during this camp, those who were in the same group with me and those who have shared moments with me. I would like to express my deepest appreciation to Nicholas and Zhi Quan for helping to try to erect the tent although it is faulty, Rico and his partner from SMKTDH for allowing me to share the tent, Wei Han and many more. May the Lord above bless all of you and your journey in life ahead.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
#54: Love: The Latest Theme of Constantly Varying
Before I leave for Sabak Bernam for 3 nights, let me introduce to the new title: Agape.
Agape is Greek for love, and why do I choose love?
These few days, I have been busying myself in English Language Society's Valentine Day's Sale, hence the thoughts about love.
In addition to that, one of my great friend, Anne (http://paradoxicallysadistic.blogspot.com) is now in love, in which this love differs from others. She has finally received sincere love. Congrats!
But seriously, why love?
I believe that love is the greatest thing on earth. Even the bible agrees to it. In 1st Corinthians 13:13, it is said that:
The whole Chapter 13 is about love, where it is said:
And it is said:
Further on:
These are from the same chapter in 1st Corinthians. It is shown that love enriches mankind, love is valuable.
Love simply is the greatest thing on earth. It is the thing that links each and everyone of us together, it is the thing that protects the family, the nation, planet Earth etc. Love transcends all kinds of life, and all walks of life.
Love begets peace, love bring harmony.
What defines a pure love in this chapter? Well, it is said that:
However, it is a shame that many people do not comprehend and fathom the definition of love, and even more people do not appreciate love and spread this greatest gift from Him. There are prejudice, envy, war, hatred and more, which resulted from this lacking of gift.
Now, how does it relates to Constantly Varying Theme, which is the permanent theme for this blog?
Love constantly varies. Love is varied, from paternal/maternal love, to family love, to friendship love, to romantic love, and then there is love to the alma mater, love to the nation, love to certain things (pet? food? superstar?) until obsession, and even love to life. But one thing is for sure: it is there, and it is constant.
Some love constantly varies due to certain surrounding factors. For example, a romantic relationship may go bland because of distance or silence, or the contrary. It just varies.
With this, I bring to you: Agape, constantly varying through the greatest thing on earth.
Hereby I shall include two appendixes, one is the Chapter 13 in 1st Corinthians in the New International Version of the Bible, and the other is the video that introduces me to this chapter in the bible.
Agape is Greek for love, and why do I choose love?
These few days, I have been busying myself in English Language Society's Valentine Day's Sale, hence the thoughts about love.
In addition to that, one of my great friend, Anne (http://paradoxicallysadistic.blogspot.com) is now in love, in which this love differs from others. She has finally received sincere love. Congrats!
But seriously, why love?
I believe that love is the greatest thing on earth. Even the bible agrees to it. In 1st Corinthians 13:13, it is said that:
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
The whole Chapter 13 is about love, where it is said:
If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.
And it is said:
If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.
Further on:
If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
These are from the same chapter in 1st Corinthians. It is shown that love enriches mankind, love is valuable.
Love simply is the greatest thing on earth. It is the thing that links each and everyone of us together, it is the thing that protects the family, the nation, planet Earth etc. Love transcends all kinds of life, and all walks of life.
Love begets peace, love bring harmony.
What defines a pure love in this chapter? Well, it is said that:
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
However, it is a shame that many people do not comprehend and fathom the definition of love, and even more people do not appreciate love and spread this greatest gift from Him. There are prejudice, envy, war, hatred and more, which resulted from this lacking of gift.
Now, how does it relates to Constantly Varying Theme, which is the permanent theme for this blog?
Love constantly varies. Love is varied, from paternal/maternal love, to family love, to friendship love, to romantic love, and then there is love to the alma mater, love to the nation, love to certain things (pet? food? superstar?) until obsession, and even love to life. But one thing is for sure: it is there, and it is constant.
Some love constantly varies due to certain surrounding factors. For example, a romantic relationship may go bland because of distance or silence, or the contrary. It just varies.
With this, I bring to you: Agape, constantly varying through the greatest thing on earth.
Hereby I shall include two appendixes, one is the Chapter 13 in 1st Corinthians in the New International Version of the Bible, and the other is the video that introduces me to this chapter in the bible.
1 Corinthians 13
1 If I speak in the tongues[a] of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,[b] but do not have love, I gain nothing.
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. 11When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
#53: New blog looks...but where's the new blog title?
First, I have no energy to write this post. I had a stomach-ache, and I vomited several times (and defecate several times too).
This post is meant as an announcement about the change of the look.
The change of the title, however, may be done tomorrow or in later time.
Until then, see you!
This post is meant as an announcement about the change of the look.
The change of the title, however, may be done tomorrow or in later time.
Until then, see you!
Monday, November 1, 2010
#52: This is possibly the last post before inviting another change in theme and title
This is something to do with transmitting messages. Or actually, it's more of communication.
A question in Yahoo! Answers: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Am_2yC3leQD4oUe3Jigt7pvty6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20101101022644AAKgu4K
Should a student advises a teacher to change her style, method and attitude of teaching? How should it be?
I am a student of a class, where this class seems like couldn't get along with this particular subject teacher.
This teacher couldn't communicate with the students, let alone for the students to get their messages across. She would exclaimed that the students have no manners when the students try to reason with her. For example, there is an assignment where the class is told to copy down the correct answers for corrections in the term papers, and there is this student who could not see the answers properly due to light reflections, hence going upfront to copy the answers. (It is normal over here for students to go upfront of the classroom as the blackboard reflects the light from outside or the fluorescent light, and most teachers allow it.) The teacher use the reason of "students changing places is prohibited and against the school rules" to tell her to go back to her original place. The student then tell her that she really cannot see, and she sees no wrong in her doings as she is changing the place for the sake of copying down the answers. The teacher insisted that she should go back and copy down, which made the student to raise her voice to get the message across that she cannot see them. The teacher then said that she has no manners, and do not deserve any marks for attitude, behaviour and homework. The teacher even questioned on the way how the student treated her parents. This sparked a very heated cold war. And the problem is, that student is not the only one that change the place for the sake of copying the answers down. There are plenty of other classmates do so, but the teacher did not pick on them.
This is only one out of many incidents that has fished out dissatisfaction of the class. There is another annoying teaching method: when discussing questions in a workbook, every 5 minutes she would stop discussing and started to scold those who are noisy, but in her scoldings there were no authority, unfortunately. This made those who are really interested in getting the questions discussed lost the interest, and eventually got fed up with this teacher. This teacher is not a new teacher-she had been teaching us for the past 8 months.
Another case of the teacher's problems with listening is as follow: There is another student who offered to photocopy exercises and questions for the teacher at a very low cost, hence reducing the class' expenditure. But the teacher refuses and insists of photocopying at the book shop in the school, which cost a lot more than the student's offer, and said that the exercises have to be given out the next day. The student said that she could do it, and other classmates said that other teachers also used her service to photocopy materials. The teacher simply turned a deaf ear to her, and that student gave up in persuading her.
These are a few examples of what we face daily, and the school year is ending in another three weeks here, and high chances are the teacher will be continuing to teach the subject in the following year, if one would follow the norm like previous badges of classes. Should someone in this class advises that teacher to change her style, method and attitude of teaching? And if so, how should this be conducted?
Additional information: This teacher occasionally boasts her 20 years of teaching experience (which is quite true), and always giving threats like deducting marks that has little impact and authority on the students.
A question in Yahoo! Answers: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Am_2yC3leQD4oUe3Jigt7pvty6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20101101022644AAKgu4K
Should a student advises a teacher to change her style, method and attitude of teaching? How should it be?
I am a student of a class, where this class seems like couldn't get along with this particular subject teacher.
This teacher couldn't communicate with the students, let alone for the students to get their messages across. She would exclaimed that the students have no manners when the students try to reason with her. For example, there is an assignment where the class is told to copy down the correct answers for corrections in the term papers, and there is this student who could not see the answers properly due to light reflections, hence going upfront to copy the answers. (It is normal over here for students to go upfront of the classroom as the blackboard reflects the light from outside or the fluorescent light, and most teachers allow it.) The teacher use the reason of "students changing places is prohibited and against the school rules" to tell her to go back to her original place. The student then tell her that she really cannot see, and she sees no wrong in her doings as she is changing the place for the sake of copying down the answers. The teacher insisted that she should go back and copy down, which made the student to raise her voice to get the message across that she cannot see them. The teacher then said that she has no manners, and do not deserve any marks for attitude, behaviour and homework. The teacher even questioned on the way how the student treated her parents. This sparked a very heated cold war. And the problem is, that student is not the only one that change the place for the sake of copying the answers down. There are plenty of other classmates do so, but the teacher did not pick on them.
This is only one out of many incidents that has fished out dissatisfaction of the class. There is another annoying teaching method: when discussing questions in a workbook, every 5 minutes she would stop discussing and started to scold those who are noisy, but in her scoldings there were no authority, unfortunately. This made those who are really interested in getting the questions discussed lost the interest, and eventually got fed up with this teacher. This teacher is not a new teacher-she had been teaching us for the past 8 months.
Another case of the teacher's problems with listening is as follow: There is another student who offered to photocopy exercises and questions for the teacher at a very low cost, hence reducing the class' expenditure. But the teacher refuses and insists of photocopying at the book shop in the school, which cost a lot more than the student's offer, and said that the exercises have to be given out the next day. The student said that she could do it, and other classmates said that other teachers also used her service to photocopy materials. The teacher simply turned a deaf ear to her, and that student gave up in persuading her.
These are a few examples of what we face daily, and the school year is ending in another three weeks here, and high chances are the teacher will be continuing to teach the subject in the following year, if one would follow the norm like previous badges of classes. Should someone in this class advises that teacher to change her style, method and attitude of teaching? And if so, how should this be conducted?
Additional information: This teacher occasionally boasts her 20 years of teaching experience (which is quite true), and always giving threats like deducting marks that has little impact and authority on the students.
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