SJI Meeting with Marcus, other students & several teachers

Hi, I have visted my secondary school today, met my friend Marcus and talked to several of the teachers here. I studied at St. John's Institution from 1998 - 2002 (Form 1 to Form Five). Most of the things in school are unchanged except for several items which include the new Pondok Bacaan, the Braille Garden and the Sudut Reflexologi. Saw all the performances that the school had in conjunction with Malaysia's 51st Independence Celebrations. Students enrolled this year (2008) are very creative. Some of them are more creative compared to the years where I did my secondary education. Then had lunch with Marcus at a beef noodles stall at Petaling Street and walk around in Central Market. Below are the pictures taken:

Main Buliding which houses the School's Office and Form 1 to Form 4 Classes. Also houses our computer laboratory, Smart Lab

The Form Five Block where I studied in. My class 5H is located on the 2nd floor Mission Statement on Special Education. This section of my school also houses the Form Six Block on the upper floors, two Form Three classes and the Teacher's Room. My Form 3 class, 3T was here in 2000.

Science Labs

Bookshop / Field Area

Braille Garden

Pondok Membaca / Reading Corner

Sudut Refleksologi / Reflexology Corner

Field Area 1

Field Area 2

Pathway to the Canteen Sports Development Programme with sponsors

Living Skills Workshop

Christianity Elements in The Chronicles of Narnia

Hi, I have read all the seven books of The Chronicles of Narnia¹ which consists of:

1. The Magician's Nephew
2. The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe
3. The Horse & His Boy
4. Prince Caspian
5. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
6. The Silver Chair
7. The Last Battle

2 books from the book, The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe & Prince Caspian has been made into movies. All these books talks about the adventures of the kingdom of Narnia and how several children were brought to Narnia by the Narnia Lion. The characters which appears the most in these books are Peter, Edmund, Susan & Lucy. They are the four kings and queens in Narnia in the 2nd book. Then in the Voyage of the Dawn Treader, Eustace was brought to Narnia and in the next book, Jill who was in the same school as Eustace was brought there as well. In the first book, we meet Digory and Polly. All of these characters are then reunited again in The Last Battle as the Seven Kings and Queens of Narnia. There are several Christianity elements that I've found in The Chronicles of Narnia:

• God - the character of Aslan in the story
• Satan - The characters of The White Witch (Book 1), King Miraz(Book 4) , The Queen of Underland (Book 6)
• Jesus' Death and Resurrection (Jesus' Dying for our sins on our behalf) in Chapters 14 - 16 in The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe
• Heaven in The Last Battle in the last chapter (Chapter 16)
• Creation of the World / Heaven (The Magician's Nephew)
• Temptation in The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe (Chapters 3-4)
• God is a God of Comfort and God who protects in The Horse & The Boy (Chapters 6 and 11)
• God is a God who transforms people (Similar to Paul's transformation in Acts) in The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (Chapters 6-7)
• God is a God of Healing in The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (Chapter 7)
• God use the weak to make the strong in The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe, Prince Caspian, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader & The Silver Chair

Note that all of these are taken from the seven books of The Chronicles of Narnia. Please refer to the citiaton below: ¹ Lewis, C.S, The Chronicles of Narnia 2001, HarperCollinsPublishers, London ² ISBN Number: 0-00-711730-2

Life of Pi

Hi, Here is a review of Life of Pi book. I like to read it. Life of Pi is about an sixteen year old Indian Boy, Piscine Molitor Patel (Known as Pi Patel) who loves God, animals and survived the tragic sinking of a cargo ship together with some interesting survivors. It includes a hyena, a zebra, a 450 pound Royal Bengal Tiger and a female orang utan. Pi Patel was on the cargo ship because his father was planning to move his family to Canada when Mrs. Gandhi took over the leadership in India. It tells how God had protected Pi after the shipwreck and how he managed to survive the encounter between him and Richard Parker, the Royal Bengal Tiger. It also tells about his adventures of his 225 days of survival on the cargo ship. He managed to find food supplies and life preservers underneath the cargo ship. In this story, God has truly blessed and protected him all the way until people found him. This is a truly one of the best books that I have read. It is by Yann Martel. This book was awarded the Man Booker Prize in 2002.

SJI Reunion

Hi, I went to church yesterday morning and Dr. Peter Ng gave quite a good sermon on strengths are made perfect in weaknesses. Then I went to Mid Valley Megamall to meet up with my school friends. Hehe. The plan did not go well. I only met one of them, Qushairy. And through him, I met an old friend of mine in primary school, Zakirin. We played a game bowling with their friends and I scored 107. One of my best scores. Some of them only managed to come at night but I did not join them. Maybe we'll meet another day and call them to make sure that they are coming. Anyway, I also bought a new red Renoma collared shirt and some other items. All the major shopping malls are having sales now until 1st September 2008 in conjunction with the Malaysia Mega Sale Carnival. I also went to MPH for a while to look at some books. Watched some Olymipics coverage yesterday too. Saw Leisel Jones breaking her record in a swimming event. Also watched episodes of CSI: Miami and CSI: New York back to back. Disney / Pixar's Wall E will be screening this Thursday. I may plan to watch the movie with my with my friends. Depends on who can make it. Maybe this Saturday morning. Not sure yet. Went to office very early today. Arrived at 0730. I needed to do something but found something else. In the end, everything is good. Will be attending the Offical Launch of our system event tomorrow morning. Lee Chong Wei has won his match against Ronald Susilo today. He played well. I hope he can advanced to the finals and possibly win a gold medal for Malaysia at the Beijing Olympics. I also wish the other Malaysian athletes to do their best to win. Most importantly, in the Olympics, it is the sportsmanship and friendship that matters regardless of race, religion and nationality. This is also God's character who loves everyone regardless of who they are. Before I sign off, one of the books that I read is Life of Pi. Details on the book will be posted at the next post. Signing off now.

Olympics!!

Hi, The opening ceremony for the Beijing Olympics 2008 Ceremony was great. China has done a great job. They are so creative. All of the performers were so talented. If you have not watch it, Astro has repeat coverage of the opening ceremony today and I think tomorrow as well. I like the part where they show how Chinese created the paper and the scroll. Also the part where Chinese characters are formed. The little girl who sang the Chinese song was great. All of performances are awesome. The system in which I am part of has gone live this week. It was smooth running. Of course we need to support the system for the first few weeks but so far it is good. Bought a new wallet and got a haircut today. I will be meeting up with my school friends in Mid Valley tomorrow. As I mentioned it in the past blog, it's been 6 years since I left my school, S.M.K St. John in Jalan Bukit Nanas after Form Five to further my studies. I went to Taylor's College and took the South Australian Matriculation (SAM), then to Monash University in Melbourne for 3 years. Came back and I've been working for nearly 1 1/2 years already by September. Time flies. The memories are back. It's good to keep in touch with our friends whether we meet in school or in the workplace. I have added a poll at the right hand side of my blog after the advertisement. Please fell free to participate. The blog will end on 31st August 2008, 2359. Top Songs For The Week Ending 10th August 2008 Christian Songs: Be Thou My Vision, Before The Throne of God, Come Thou Fount, In Christ Alone My Hope Is Found, In Christ Alone Will I Glory, With All I Am Christine Glass: My Love Will Get You Home Colbie Calliat: Realise Damien Leith: Night of My Life, Come To Me, Unchained Melody Hoobastank: The Reason Leona Lewis: Better In Time, Bleeding Love Rihanna: Take A Bow, Umbrella Top Shows For The Week Ending 10th August 2008 CSI, CSI: Miami, CSI: New York Olympics: Swimming, Gymnastics, Artistic Gymnastics, Opening Ceremony TVB Dramas: The Heart of Greed (Tung Sam Fung Po), The Best Selling Secret (starring Esther Kwan), The Price of Greed Top Animes For The Week Ending 10th August 2008 Air Gear Dragon Ball Fate / Stay Night Sergeant Keroro Solty Rei Yakitate! Japan Yu Yu Hakusho Prayer Points For The Week Ending 10th August 2008

1. Pray for Malaysia - political stability, peace
2. Olympics - Athletes' friendship, do well, peace
3. People who are suffering from terminal illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, stroke, HIV AIDS etc
4. People who are suffering from poverty / war
5. Pray that I can live a life which is worthy of our Lord Jesus Christ, to be salt and light of the Earth

Home Early

Hi, Came home early today. Arrived home at 1845. After working so late for the past few months, I finally can go home early. When I came back, workers for the one of the ministry departments are fogging in the surrounding areas. There is another case of dengue fever. Need to be very careful with mosquitoes now. There are 3 cases already I think. Will be meeting up with my school friends on Sunday. It will be good to see all of them again after six years after the SPM examinations. Olympics will be starting in two days time. Come and let's cheer for the Olympics. Sports without regardless of race, religion and country, just like God loves us for who we are. God has created each one of us as a different person. Each one of us is unique. He loves us regardless of who we are. Top Animes of the Mid-Week Sergeant Keroro Yu Yu Hakusho Dragon Ball Final Fantasy Unlimited Yakitate Japan Top TV Shows of the Mid-Week TVB Series: The Heart of Greed, The Price of Greed, The Best Selling Secret CSI, CSI Miami, CSI:NY House Numbers Chuck Top Songs of the Mid-Week Chloe Agnew / Don Mclean: Vincent Christian Songs Christine Glass: My Love Will Get You Home Classical Music: Mozart, Chopin, Yanni, Tchaikovsky Colbile Cailiat: Realise Hoobastank: The Reason Il Divo Michael Buble: Home, Everything Michael Jackson: Heal The World, Billie Jean, You Are Not Alone Missy Higgins: The Sound of White Nicole Scherizinger: Baby Love One Repulic: Stop and Stare Sarah Brightman: Memory Westlife: Us Against The World, When You Tell Me That You Love Me

Don't Blame Others

Hi,

The project that I am working on will be launched on 8th August 2008. We have done a good job so far!

I came across this devotion article in Our Daily Bread on 2nd August 2008. It is an article written by Anne Cetas entitled They Are The Problem. The article discusses about how some drivers think that others are to be blamed for making the highways safe when they also are putting other people at risk as well. It's true to say for our every day lives as well.

Sometimes when things go wrong, we often blame someone for it. We don't admit it ourselves and just find someone to blame. It is not a good habit. Yes, I may do that sometimes but it is not a good thing. There are certain things that I need to fully take responsibility on it. I need to acknowledge my own mistakes, shortcomings and weaknesses. And so do all of us. We learn a lot from our mistakes and from there we will improve ourselves in the future. It is not considered weak if we admit our own mistakes. Come and let's don't blame others in the future when we know we have failed to do something or when we did the wrong things. Failure can make enable us to be more successful in life.

If we keep on blaming others for mistakes I we have done or not, we always think that we are better than others. We are thinking that we are good that we are not. We should compare ourselves with other people. We should look at our own behaviour instead. As a Christian, we should compare ourselves with that of Jesus Christ. He is perfect and has no sin. If we compare ourselves with the person of Jesus, we will fall short.

We are not perfect but as Christians, we should follow the ways of Jesus and be more like him. We should be the light and salt of the world, living a life worthy of God.

Nurses
I was sick a few weeks ago and I went to see a doctor at this clinic near my office.


The doctors there are good but the nurses have some attitude. There is a nurse who I think is not really polite to the patients waiting. When she calls out a name, she calls out in a very loud tone. It seems to be an angry tone too. And she doesn't have a pleasant look either. The other nurses are alright but sometimes they are not the best either. After I have finished my consultation, I waited a while for the medicine. People who came out earlier than me are waiting too. Maybe it's the way the clinic works, I'm not sure.

Nurses are supposed to be gentle people who care for the patients from all walks of life. They help patients to feel comfortable at hospitals and to help dispense medicines at clinics. They would treat the patient with care and love. They should be alert if there is anything the patient requires. Nurses in other hospitals and clinics are better than this clinic. I don't know.

Top Songs of the Week
Christian Songs: Hallelujah to the Lamb, In Christ Alone, How Great is Our God
David Cook: Time of My Life
Human Nature: Please Mr Postman, I Can't Help Myself
Il Divo: Una Noche
Leona Lewis: Bleeding Love, Better In Time
Mozart:
One Republic: Stop & Stare
S Club: Have You Ever
Westlife: Us Against The World

Some of the books that I read
Agatha Christie: Hercule Poirot Series (Novel and Short Stories) , Miss Marple Series (Novel and Short Stories)
Annie Proulx: The Shipping News
Arthur Conan Doyle: Sherlock Holmes
Charles Dickens: David Copperfield, The Bleak House
Christian Books: The Bible, Our Daily Bread, The Purpose Driven Life, The Heavenly Man, Taming the Tiger, A Call to Spiritual Reformation, Bitesize Theology, Know and Tell the Gospel
John Grisham: The Innocent Man, The Last Juror, The King of Torts
Michael Connelly: The Overlook, The Narrows, The Poet
Michael Crichton: Next, Prey

That's all,

Roger