Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Gridiron Gang or Whitewashed Wussies?
I just watched Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson star in the movie "Gridiron Gang". It's a fantastic movie, arguably the best I've watched for a long time. (The last "best" movie I watched was "The Shawshank Redemption" back in the last century, that's how long) It is a beautifully inspirational movie so moving that by just watching it as a 3rd party I actually wanted to be someone like that, a counsellor for the boys who really need somebody in life.
If you haven't watched it, I highly recommend that you do. But for the benefit of those who cannot afford to do so whatever the reasons, let me summarize the movie a little. "Gridiron Gang" is about a counsellor and disciplinarian in a juvenile home who, with the help and advice of his mother, begins to start a football team in order to built unity and esteem among the boys who are sent there. He encounters many problems and obstacles, but his determination finally gives the team an opportunity to play with the other high school teams. They go through a number of losing games and the team is just about to give up hope on one another before they finally work it out among themselves and soon they get on a winning streak with a few other significant events to bond them even closer.
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson is already a famous figure due to his wrestling career and his acting skills are an additional reason to why he is also popular as an actor. He is extremely inspirational in this movie and really garners the respect of the delinquents sent there. Despite losing and facing really tough obstacles, he maneuveurs the team to success, and their victory brings tears to the eyes of viewers. Even Gina was cheering the team on every match throughout the movie!
Sometimes such movies bring memories and dreams back to me. I've always wanted to be someone inspiring, someone who can encourage and bring out the best in people. I've considered being a counsellor, pastor, teacher and psychologist, but somehow my studies don't seem driven towards those careers. But it is so heart-warming to give people hope and let them know that there is a meaning to life, to let them feel that they can contribute something and that someone out there loves them and depends on them. I don't want to be someone who sits in the office and deal with monetary issues all day, nor do I want to be building tall skyscrapers. I don't want to sit in a lab and do research all day, nor do I want to meet people and sell them products I don't believe in.
I want to make a change in people's life. An impact they will never forget. THAT is life. THAT is love.
P.S. Go watch Gridiron Gang. You won't regret it. And you don't have to understand American Football to know what the hell's going on.
If you haven't watched it, I highly recommend that you do. But for the benefit of those who cannot afford to do so whatever the reasons, let me summarize the movie a little. "Gridiron Gang" is about a counsellor and disciplinarian in a juvenile home who, with the help and advice of his mother, begins to start a football team in order to built unity and esteem among the boys who are sent there. He encounters many problems and obstacles, but his determination finally gives the team an opportunity to play with the other high school teams. They go through a number of losing games and the team is just about to give up hope on one another before they finally work it out among themselves and soon they get on a winning streak with a few other significant events to bond them even closer.
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson is already a famous figure due to his wrestling career and his acting skills are an additional reason to why he is also popular as an actor. He is extremely inspirational in this movie and really garners the respect of the delinquents sent there. Despite losing and facing really tough obstacles, he maneuveurs the team to success, and their victory brings tears to the eyes of viewers. Even Gina was cheering the team on every match throughout the movie!
Sometimes such movies bring memories and dreams back to me. I've always wanted to be someone inspiring, someone who can encourage and bring out the best in people. I've considered being a counsellor, pastor, teacher and psychologist, but somehow my studies don't seem driven towards those careers. But it is so heart-warming to give people hope and let them know that there is a meaning to life, to let them feel that they can contribute something and that someone out there loves them and depends on them. I don't want to be someone who sits in the office and deal with monetary issues all day, nor do I want to be building tall skyscrapers. I don't want to sit in a lab and do research all day, nor do I want to meet people and sell them products I don't believe in.
I want to make a change in people's life. An impact they will never forget. THAT is life. THAT is love.
P.S. Go watch Gridiron Gang. You won't regret it. And you don't have to understand American Football to know what the hell's going on.
Monday, January 08, 2007
Faith Works Wonders, Trust Me
I hope the new year is going great for you people out there. Doesn't seem like a new year to me... Probably because I haven't started school yet. Actually school starts tomorrow, or should I say, today.
Didn't do too well last semester. Well, not THAT bad... I should be happy given the amount of study I put in. But it's kinda tough when you see so many people close to you getting a cap of 4.9 or 4.5 out of 5. Absolutely disgusting. Haha... But yes, I should count my blessings indeed. And no, I won't post my cap on my blog. If you want to know, come ask me. And I only do exchanges. Haha...
Will be taking a good number of weird modules this semester. Something on Einstein's Theory of Quantum Weirdness, Japanese Social Institutions, Social Research and Theory, Singapore Society and Japanese Language 2. Yes, they sound really boring. I hope I don't get turned off and fall asleep too soon. At least not till midterm.... Please please please...
Anyway, I think I've gotten fat during the holidays. I've asked people and they don't think so. But I think we know ourselves better larZ... When the fat starts hitting in... People don't see doesn't mean it don't exist. (Metrosexual rating for this paragraph is 9.9/10. Normal Victor is 3.5/10)
Anyway, was talking to the church guys during the sharing in the youth service. I meant every word when I said that God really can do miracles. That faith in His power brings out the very best in us. Why not? Given that it was Him who created you, surely He knows you better than you know yourself! However, the pride of Man has been his downfall. Man refuses to rely on what he cannot see (eg. God), and to put his trust in the things that he can (eg. himself). But we have heard testimonies from Christians all over the world testifying to the power of God to turn situations 180 degress around! Why then aren't we believing? The Bible says that those who see God and believe are blessed, but those who do not see God and believe are even more blessed! Come on! Don't ever let the devil blind you to such truths! He wants to plant seeds of doubt into your mind! Push him out and let God reign in your heart. Trust me, and let God work in your life. It's life-changing. I cannot emphasize it more. It truly is life-changing.
Anyway thanks for the compliment on the worship last Sunday David. I'm sure the band will improve even more in the long term, but as long as everyone felt God's presence during the worship I am 100% satisfied. Personally I enjoyed it so much I didn't really care about whether the music was good or not. What comes first is that God was honored and glorified, and that the youths slowly pick up the fact that during worship, God is watching you and His view of you is more important than that of your friends around you. That worship means you behave the way you do because you love God and not as others expect you to be. I believe that praise and worship can be so fun that we can do it forever when we are in heaven. I've felt that "high" during worship services before, and I think some of you have felt it too.
I sure can't wait to go to Heaven... =) But I'll stay here as long as you want me too Lord.
Didn't do too well last semester. Well, not THAT bad... I should be happy given the amount of study I put in. But it's kinda tough when you see so many people close to you getting a cap of 4.9 or 4.5 out of 5. Absolutely disgusting. Haha... But yes, I should count my blessings indeed. And no, I won't post my cap on my blog. If you want to know, come ask me. And I only do exchanges. Haha...
Will be taking a good number of weird modules this semester. Something on Einstein's Theory of Quantum Weirdness, Japanese Social Institutions, Social Research and Theory, Singapore Society and Japanese Language 2. Yes, they sound really boring. I hope I don't get turned off and fall asleep too soon. At least not till midterm.... Please please please...
Anyway, I think I've gotten fat during the holidays. I've asked people and they don't think so. But I think we know ourselves better larZ... When the fat starts hitting in... People don't see doesn't mean it don't exist. (Metrosexual rating for this paragraph is 9.9/10. Normal Victor is 3.5/10)
Anyway, was talking to the church guys during the sharing in the youth service. I meant every word when I said that God really can do miracles. That faith in His power brings out the very best in us. Why not? Given that it was Him who created you, surely He knows you better than you know yourself! However, the pride of Man has been his downfall. Man refuses to rely on what he cannot see (eg. God), and to put his trust in the things that he can (eg. himself). But we have heard testimonies from Christians all over the world testifying to the power of God to turn situations 180 degress around! Why then aren't we believing? The Bible says that those who see God and believe are blessed, but those who do not see God and believe are even more blessed! Come on! Don't ever let the devil blind you to such truths! He wants to plant seeds of doubt into your mind! Push him out and let God reign in your heart. Trust me, and let God work in your life. It's life-changing. I cannot emphasize it more. It truly is life-changing.
Anyway thanks for the compliment on the worship last Sunday David. I'm sure the band will improve even more in the long term, but as long as everyone felt God's presence during the worship I am 100% satisfied. Personally I enjoyed it so much I didn't really care about whether the music was good or not. What comes first is that God was honored and glorified, and that the youths slowly pick up the fact that during worship, God is watching you and His view of you is more important than that of your friends around you. That worship means you behave the way you do because you love God and not as others expect you to be. I believe that praise and worship can be so fun that we can do it forever when we are in heaven. I've felt that "high" during worship services before, and I think some of you have felt it too.
I sure can't wait to go to Heaven... =) But I'll stay here as long as you want me too Lord.
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
Ushering in the New Year
"Ladies and gentlemen, let's put rise to our feet and put our hands together to welcome our guest-of-honor, the Year 2007!"
So the story goes. In comes 2007 and out goes 2006. Without any applause of course. Few people would want to remember 2006. Not like anything exciting happened. Probably a hell lot of unhappy stuff. People always tell you things like "It's gonna be better next year" or "Leave the past behind and look forward to the good things that are going to happen soon."
Well, they are true in a sense. They probably work as short-term encouragements. But right now is indeed a good time to start. Start what, you might ask. Anything, is my reply. What's most important is that you have a goal. Even if it is building a dollhouse out of ice-cream sticks or beating the top guy in class. Even if it is becoming the next president of Singapore. Have a goal.
New Year's Day is like any other day of the year. The sun still comes out from the east and sets in the west. Life goes on like any other weekend, with probably a few more people in bed from the partying the night before. But it has psychological significance. People feel as if life restarts again. Grudges are mended, faults forgiven and bad moods restored. Relationships are freshened up, creativity is restored and love finds a place into people's hearts again.
Wonderful isn't it? Everyone loves a new start. Make the fullest use of it. Think of something you can contribute to the world. Getting good exam results is of little contribution to the world. Something nobler. Like sacrifice your weekends to make the old folks in your neighborhood feel like they can still contribute something to society. Or spend some time with kids who'll never experience what a parent's love is like. Change a life. Don't worry about your grades so much. God is The One who decides your grades. Studying harder doesn't have any effect on your results actually. It just makes you feel better.
So... What is your New Year resolution now? =)
So the story goes. In comes 2007 and out goes 2006. Without any applause of course. Few people would want to remember 2006. Not like anything exciting happened. Probably a hell lot of unhappy stuff. People always tell you things like "It's gonna be better next year" or "Leave the past behind and look forward to the good things that are going to happen soon."
Well, they are true in a sense. They probably work as short-term encouragements. But right now is indeed a good time to start. Start what, you might ask. Anything, is my reply. What's most important is that you have a goal. Even if it is building a dollhouse out of ice-cream sticks or beating the top guy in class. Even if it is becoming the next president of Singapore. Have a goal.
New Year's Day is like any other day of the year. The sun still comes out from the east and sets in the west. Life goes on like any other weekend, with probably a few more people in bed from the partying the night before. But it has psychological significance. People feel as if life restarts again. Grudges are mended, faults forgiven and bad moods restored. Relationships are freshened up, creativity is restored and love finds a place into people's hearts again.
Wonderful isn't it? Everyone loves a new start. Make the fullest use of it. Think of something you can contribute to the world. Getting good exam results is of little contribution to the world. Something nobler. Like sacrifice your weekends to make the old folks in your neighborhood feel like they can still contribute something to society. Or spend some time with kids who'll never experience what a parent's love is like. Change a life. Don't worry about your grades so much. God is The One who decides your grades. Studying harder doesn't have any effect on your results actually. It just makes you feel better.
So... What is your New Year resolution now? =)
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