OGL camp has been great. And great in so many ways. Truthfully speaking, I do not like attending camps. I never liked leaving the comfort of my bed at home, or sharing a stink crap toilet with at least a few hundred other campers ( trust me, it stinks!) But it is also in camps that some of my most precious memories happen. It is in camps that we are able to catch a glismpse of the human kind- that is to understand its flaws and celebrate in its goodness. It is through the camp experience that the individual benefits from in terms of memories and understanding.

One of the most fondest things in the camp is the bond that I had forged with my fellow council members. The times shared with them eating, sleeping in the same bunk and slacking on stage watching the OGLs cheer is something that will always remain nolstagic. Ms Lee said during the camp: to wake up in the morning and see your friends in their most untidy state is really true bondedness. I feel that such moments are magical. Even as life returns to breakneck speed after the camp, such bonds and memories serve as an anchor to the ship, or as roots of a tree. When the storms of life comes crashing, one can always find identity and renewed strength in them.

It is also in camps that one is able to see the true colours of others. Having to live with someone 24/7 means that the true nature of a person will always be exposed. In times of difficulty some will perservere for a breakthrough while others may give up along the way. That is why camps also test the true character of the individual. Even so, values aquired during the camp will never be lost. Camps are learning journeys, not an act of judgement.

I look forward to orientation 2009- Avian Rennaissence. And yes, I will endure the smelly toilets.

I pray that my relationship with God will be even closer.

Chows,
Jethro

Can I?

Can I really do it?
To break across the monotony
To unleash my true potential
Or does such potential even exist?
Am I a fine man
Clad in silk and fine adornments?
Please not!
Even a glittering sword my belt does not hold
Perhaps I am but dirt inside
Unable and parasitic
It stains the cloth, that is as white as snow
Truth to behold!
I am to be content with this mediocrity
I am to embrace it
and find solace in it
Sometimes the rope I hold is taut
But yet at the end of the day when the sun comes to rest
I must still let go
For the mind though willing
the flesh forbids
and in the end the mind accepts
truth is truth
Oh how deep is the longing
To reach for the stars that I gaze upon
to ride my hands along its side
and so to feel its might
I reach out with stretching hands
Hands straineous in constant endeavor
So it seems
The defeat and failure cripples him once more
and he realizes
Can I?

Just some emo poem that I wrote. Enjoy :)

Chows,
yours truely

Can't think of any heading

A couple of events have sinced happened since the last post.

For one, I busted my toe a couple of days ago. What happen was that I was randomly strolling around in my parents room when I accidently whacked my fourth toe against the wardrobe. So obviously it hurt real bad so I clasped it with my hand to numb the pain. Not sure if this works though. Haha! But when I unveiled my hand I noticed that the toe nail actually came off. Its like really really sick cause I was able to see the raw flesh inside. I didn't know what to do so I just pressed it back into place and hope for the better. Thank God! After about 15 minutes the nail sorta stuck back. (although there was still blood oozing out from underneath the nail.) In fact, I remembered that I placed a tissue paper under my foot so that I wouldn't lost the nail. The end of the story is that now, the toe nail is much better. lol wonderful ending.

Number 2, It's gym time. On wednesday I went with bryan to buy my gym attire. In the end, I bought a totally cool black adidas outfit with matching sleeveless top and bottom. Much thks to bryan for his fashion advice. So eager to try out the outfit, I went again with bryan to the gym today. Guess who we saw there! We saw a celebrity. Although I can recognise him I don't know his name. But I am guessing his name is tian wen for he was wearing a red jersey with that name behind. Lol so me and bryan discovered that he loved to do bence press. Lol he was like hogging the station for 45 minutes.

Number 3, I earned my first 30 bucks yesterday. For some of you who know me better, I managed to find a job as a tutor teaching at little professors tuition centre. The pay is really not bad, I must say. I kinda liked what I was doing also. My job was to teach primary 3 math. I only had 2 students cos the tuition centre kinda just started out. There was one guy and one girl. The guys name is dexter and the girls name is tracy. Haha! I had alot of fun teaching them. And I guesssed they had alot of fun too. Their reaaly sweet although they love too joke a little too much. I look forward to teaching them again next week.

Number 4, school work and exams. KILLER!. Gotta catch up. Enough said here.

Number 5,my thoughts. I have been wanting to get this off here for some time already. Sometimes I feel that we have the wrong focus in life. I often look around and notice that people, including myself, have been so distracted by life that we fail to see what truely matters. I see people so obsessed with position, recognition, of being somebody and to 'advance' in life. I find this especially so for teens. For instance, I often see them getting so caught up with 'life', having more friends, being somebody in school or at church, wanting to have that latest sneaker, wanting to be so pro at a musical instrument etc. I mean does all this really matter. I see so many of this people going down this path to nowhere at the expense of more significant things like God, family, friends and the simple contentment of life. They often spent to much time 'advancing' in life that they have little time for God and for family. Of course, I myself am no exception and am a culprit. But I would like to strike a fine balance. I hope that you will too.

Alright, thats enough for today. Chows!

The new year, A new begining

Haha, yes its been quite awhile. I admit that this delay is purely a result of my laziness and procrastination. Thanks Oliver and Mitchell for reminding me. :) Well, I've finally gotten down to it. First off, I should wish everyone a happy new year!!!!!! How time flies! I still remember studying with mitchell for 0'levels at the cafe above church. And in the blink of an eye, here am I face to face with A levels. Indeed, time does not wait for no man.

So what does the new year actually mean for me? To me, it is a fresh beginning. It is a time to reflect upon the wrongs of the past year and make resolutions. It is a time to realign myself to God's purpose for me and live out my best. Most importantly, it is the increased motivation to make a change in my life for the better. To put it simply, it is to remove the parasites and give myself another chance. I've always been a person to act on what I believe, and sometimes what I believe may not be right. Perhaps thats why I have screwed up some areas of my life. Dotz...

Of course, doing so is not easy. I would certainly like to remain in my comfort zone all snuggled up and warm. But at times like these I would think of the prospect of both ends. If I were to remain comfortable, the end would be that I would be the same. The problems I have will still be there. I really do not want to see myself as a 50 year old man balding with a pot belly and watching TV all day. On the other end of the spectrum would be a life of adventure and success- where I want to be. I guess that is what drives me to accept the new motivation the new year brings.

Another thing is to reflect on the past. I think that this is really important. Reflecting on the past allows me to identify the mistakes I have made and to make amends in the new year. As I have said earlier, one of the mistakes I have made is to have wrong believes. I guess I will be spending this week reflecting on my belief system and to refresh them. This would entail reading alot of the word of God. Until, I get this done, I will not set my resolutions. Whats the use of having resolutions if you do not unerstand clearly the situation you are in?

So it has come. The new year of 2009. Gone is the past chapter of my life and in comes the new. As this year progresses, I will certainly not waste it away. I will put in every ounce of effort and courage to change my life for the better. With God as my lead, the new year chronicles the ending of the old life and the start of a fresh begining. Let this post, put what I have said in black and white.

Note: I have actually thought of alot more stuff that is related to this topic. But I am unable to put them down to pen as I can't see the full picture of these stuff yet.

Happy New Year,
Jethro