Star Trek

Hi,

I watched Star Trek at GSC 1 Utama today. It was very good. Chris Pine who acts as Captain James Kirk is good in his acting. The same goes for Zachary Quinto. We first see Zachary as Sylar in Heroes. In Star Trek, he acts as Spock. It talks about the story of an incredible young crew voyage on the U.S.S Enterprise. The U.S.S Enterprise is the most advanced starship ever created.

The voyage brings them face to face with an enemy called Nero. Nero's home and planet, Romulan was destroyed and so he wanted to take revenge on the U.S.S crews. He claimed they did nothing to save it. In the show, James Kirk and Spock are rivals who will eventually work together to battle Nero. At first, they disliked each other but later they realised that they can be form a good team if they worked together.

It is a nice show. The battle scenes are great. Lots of suspense and action. I give this movie a rating of 9/10. One of the best movies shown on cinemas so far. I may want to watch Terminator: Salvation and Transformers (June 2009) as well. 

That's all,

Teng Joon

Some Chinese Songs That I Like

Hi,

Here are two of the Chinese songs that I like. One is Tong Hua by Guang Liang. It is a very nice song.

The next song is an old Chinese song that I heard during a K-lunch with some of my friends. In English, it is entitled So Clear Is My Heart. It is a Jackie Chan and Sarah Chen duet.

Kayaking on Saturday, 23rd May 2009 and My Favourite Stuff

Hi Everyone,

This is a CNET TV Video talking about Palm Pre and that the IPhone 3G is not so good in the US. It talks about the AT&T service in US.

I joined my cell group members for kayaking at the Kelab Tasik Putrajaya located at Precinct 8 on Saturday. It cost RM10 per person for 1 hour. It is a serene place with a great pond (tasik) and great view. Besides kayaks, there are different types of boats available depending on what you want to row on. The kayaks can be a single kayak or a double kayak. It was my 1st time to go for kayaking. I thank God that nothing happens to us when we rowed the kayaks. There were no overturned kayaks. We managed to have the right weight balance while rowing the kayak. The weather in Putrajaya was good. It rained heavily in Cheras but it did not rain in Putrajaya. Occasional thunders were heard during the kayaking but there was no rain at all. We rowed for about 1 hour and then we showered or changed our clothes.

 

I went kayaking on a double kayak with my cell group leader, Kevin. I was at the front seat and he was at the back. At first the oars were easy to hold on to but as we went further, it became harder. Using the oars required a lot of strength from the left and right shoulders. For first timers, you can get tired after a while. To turn the kayak, the back person will row to the correct direction as the front person continues to row it as normal. I had a little difficulty of sitting at the kayak initially and when I was coming up to the land after we had finished rowing. I need to make sure that I don't fall into the water or make the kayak unbalanced. :P. First time of course. Don't really know how to actually sit on it. If the kayak drifted away to the pond, I would have gone to the pond. :D

 

Overall, it was a fun experience to go kayaking. Need to use a lot of strength to use the oars. It was a great exercise for the day. Our cell group should organise more fellowship activities so that we can know each other better. It can be a bonding exercise with the other members of the cell group members as well.

 

My Favourite Christian Songs

At The Cross

Be Thou My Vision

Before The Throne of God

Everlasting God

Everything That Has Breath Praise The Lord

Forever

Give Thanks

Hallelujah to the Lamb

How Great Is Our God

In Christ Alone (My Hope Is Found)

Jesus, Messiah (Chris Tomlin)

Kau Sahabatku, Kau Saudaraku

Knowing You Jesus

Living with Jesus

Love The Lord Your God

Made to Worship

My Hope is Built 

My Life Is In You

Servants of the Gospel

Shout to the Lord

Sing Sing Sing

Thank You For The Cross (Worthy is the Lamb)

Unfailing Love (Chris Tomlin)

We Are The Reason

You Never Let Go

 

My Favourite Songs

Abba: Dancing Queen, Take A Chance On Me, Lay All My Love For You, Chiquitita, Fernando, One of Us

Avril Lavigne: Complicated, When You're Gone

Bee Gees: To Love Somebody

Billy Joel / Westlife: Uptown Girl

Colbie Caliat: Realise

Damien Leith (Australian Idol 2006): I Still Miss Us, Night of My Life, Unchained Melody

David Archuleta: A Little Too Not Over You

Guang Liang: Tong Hua

Il Divo: Amazing Grace, Angelina, Caruso, La Luna, Una Noche, Unchained Melody

Jason Mraz: I'm Yours, Lucky (with Colbie Caliat)

Josh Groban: You Raise Me Up, The Prayer, To Where You Are

Kelly Clarkson: Because of You, Breakaway, My Life.....

Leona Lewis: Better In Time, Bleeding Love, Yesterday

M2M: Don't Say You Love Me, The Day You Went Away

Maroon 5: Good Night, Won't Go Home Without You

Michael Jackson: Bilile Jean, Heal The World, Man In The Mirror, Thriller, You Are Not Alone

Mozart: All

Miley Cyrus: The Climb

Nickelback: Gotta Be Somebody

Rihanna: Take A Bow, Umbrella

S Club (S Club 7 initially): Have You Ever, Never Had A Dream Come True 

She / B3: IOIO

Taylor Swift: Love Story

Westlife: Seasons In The Sun, Something Right, Us Against The World

Westlife / Ruben Studdard: Flying Without Wings

and other similar genre of songs

 

My Favourite Animes

Blood +

Dragon Ball

Fate / Stay Night

Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood

Lamb (Animax Production)

La Corda Doro Prima Passo

Nodame Cantabile

Slam Dunk

Sergeant Keroro

Solty Rei

Tears to Tiara

The Chronicles of the Wings

The Law of Ueki

Yu Yu Hakusho

 

That's all,

 

Rogerkoo

Bangkok Trip

Hi Everyone,

 

I just came back from Bangkok yesterday. Bangkok is a nice city with the Bangkok Transit System (BTS), highways and good roads. The taxis are all Toyota Corolla Altis from the 1st generation Altis to the latest model. Compared to Jakarta, the traffic is more peaceful although there are traffic jams. There are no motorcycles going to the pedestrian pavements like Jakarta. There are a lot of high rise buildings and several good hotels there. It include the Grand Mercure Hotel, Shangri-La Hotel and the Le Meridien Hotel. It is a peaceful city when there is no protests on the streets or roads. The people there are friendly too.

 

During my trip there, I stayed in Centre Point Exclusive Service Apartments near Shangri La hotel. The ambience of the hotel is very nice and soothing with a floral theme in place. The rooms are equipped with a washing machine, a microwave oven, stove, a refrigerator, pots and pans,  an electric kettle, a TV with several channels such as BBC, CNN, Discovery Channel, National Geographic Channel, Star Movies, HBO, Cartoon Network and 5 local Thailand channels, wireless Internet and a Hi-fi system. Both the TV and Hi-fi are Sony brands. In some rooms, there is a Sony DVD Player too. The rooms also have a nice shower with shower door / bathtub with a bottle of a aromatherapy shower gel, a body location and a shampoo / conditioner. The hotel also provides 2 pairs of slippers, towels, soap and laundry bags and services. We can also request for an iron to be placed in the room. Other facilities in the service apartment include a mini library, swimming pool and a gym. The stay at the hotel comes with complimentary breakfasts as well at the restaurant. Food during breakfast include bacon rashers, hams, sausages, paus, pancakes, eggs (omelette or sunny side up), vegetables, yoghurt, milk with cereals (Honey Star, Koko Crunch), fruit juices, porridge, macaroni, chicken, fish, rice and yakinori soba. Centre Point is located next to the Robinsons shopping centre. It is connected together just like the connection between 1-Utama and One World Hotel in Bandar Utama. There is also a 24 hours McDonalds branch. Besides, a BTS station (Saphan Taksin) is also located within walking distance from Centre Point. Remember that in Malaysia we used to have Tops Supermarket (now Giant)? There is a Tops Supermarket at Centre Point, part of the Robinsons shopping centre.  

 

I tried the McDonalds in Bangkok, Thailand too. The McD menu has some items which are different than Malaysia's. There is a Samurai Pork Burger served in Thailand. I tried that with my friends and it's quite tasty. It costs 99 Baht (RM9.90). It is part of a set meal which include a soft drink and fries. Please note that for the soft drink and fries, their Regular size is Malaysia's Large size. Thailand McD does not have the Banana and Apple Pies on the menu but it has Pineapple, Spinach and Corn Pies. There is also a Double Cheeseburger which has four pieces of beef patties in between the cheese. It's huge!. I tried the Spinach pie and it's good. It is a nice one. It costs 29 Baht which is about RM2.90 for the pie. The price in Bangkok is similar to the price in KL. The McD branch that we went to was quite big. There are screens everywhere promoting McD items. The screens are like the ones we have seen in KL where it goes up and down every few seconds showing what it has to offer. At the counters, the menu is displayed on screens flashing out different sets and promotions every 5 seconds or so. It's like a flat screen panel installed there. Quite advanced there.

 

McD is the only restaurant that has bigger portions. Other than that, most restaurants and stalls have smaller portions than in Malaysia. I need to order double portion for certain meals because it was too little. Not full enough for me. If you are a small eater than it may suit you.

 

The Bangkok Airport (Suvarnabhumi International Airport) is quite new. The interior design of the airport in similar to that of KLIA. There are a lot of restaurants and duty free shops at the airport. You can even try a sample of some of the food sold there. The boarding room / waiting area is spacious as well. There is a Burger King at the airport but not McD. For Air Asia passengers, please note that the check in counters are located at Rows E. It is near to the domestic flights check in counters. We thought that it was at the international counters but we need to walk back to Rows E near the domestic counters. All Air Asia flights check in counters are located there. 

 

One similarity in Bangkok and Jakarta is that the taxis will take you anywhere regardless of your destination. You just tell them where to go and they will agree to take you there, unlike here in Malaysia where certain taxi drivers will refuse to take you there. Their reasons can be too far or traffic jams. They may even charge a higher fare too. Malaysian taxi drivers should take us anywhere regardless of our destination. They should be honest too.

Sound of Music at Central Station Antwerp in Belgium

Hi,

A Belgian TV show publicity stunt where they are looking for someone to play the lead role for The Sound of Music musical.

Happy Mothers' Day

Hi, I would like to wish all mothers a Happy Mother's Day tomorrow! It's your day tomorrow. Just relax! Don't think too much about your family. Mothers play an essential role in the family. My mother for example has been supporting and caring for us since we were young. She is thoughtful and will be there for us no matter where we are. I want to thank my mother for what she has done for me in my life whether I am in Malaysia or Indonesia or when I was studying in Monash University in Melbourne. She once came for a few weeks to cook and care for me one year during my exam period. This was in my 2nd year of my uni which was in 2005. She was also in Melbourne for a few months to help take care of her grand-daughter, my niece when she was born. My mum was there when my sister was giving birth in Melbourne. She knew how to take care of a baby when my niece was born. She was thoughtful of her family. Here are some of the things my mother have done for my family:

• Took care of us when we were still babies
• Helped to make decisions in our life
• Gave thoughtful advice for us when we are making important decisions in life
• Drove / drives us around when my father is / was not around
• Taught / teaches / us to drive
• Fetches us to and fro to and from school
• Took care of us when we are sick
• Took care of us when we worked hard and came back late. She will ask the maid to heat up the food for us.
• Made / makes sure that we stay healthy all the time
• Made / makes sure that we will have breakfast, lunch & dinner
• Made / makes sure that I will eat something / have dinner when I worked late
• Shopped / shopping for groceries / do the marketing for us
• Introduced us to Internet when the Internet just launched in Malaysia through Jaring
• Introduced my dad to do e-Banking
• Took / takes the trouble to do certain things for us
• Installed an air-cond in my room so that I can study better. It is to provide a conducive environment for study.

Generally, all mothers would have / will do/ have done all these things. This is a tribute to all mothers. My mum likes You Raise Me Up especially sang by Josh Groban. So mum, this is dedicated for you and of course all mothers, You Raise Me Up sang live by Josh Groban:

Sony Bravia S400 LCD TV

Hi Everyone, I also want to wish all Buddhists a Happy Wesak Day today. Our TV was spoiled last week. As a result, we have decided to buy the Sony Bravia S400 LCD TV. The images produced on Astro channels are very sharp for some channels depending on the shows. Overall, still display good and sharp images. Animax, MTV, Channel V, Disney, E! Channel, CNN, BBC and the sports channels have very sharp images. Wah Lai Toi is not bad either. Star World is not as sharp but still better than average. Certain shows in Star World are quite sharp. 8TV is not bad. Here are the LCD TV:

Prayer

Hi Everyone, This question came up on my mind last week. Who and what do we pray for? Do we pray for our family and friends? Do we pray for the world around us? Which one is our highest priority? Prayer points can include:

1. Church growth or chuch
2. The growth of Christianity, those who are prosecuted because of evangelism etc
3. Family (Believers & Non Believers, health etc)
4. Prayer for ourselves(Our walk with God, quiet time, job, safe and pleasant trip while travelling for work or leisure, challenges etc)
5. Friends (Believers & Non Believers)
6. World (Environment, poverty, development of environmental friendly cars, crisis, diseases, economy, peace etc)
7. Our country and neighbouring countries
8. Those who are not well (Cancer, illnesses) either in church or family or friends

Is it considered that we are self centered if we only pray for ourselves and our family? God told us to put others first before ourselves. He also showed us the meaning of serving others. It is not wrong to pray for ourselves and our family but we also need to pray for those around us and for the world as well. As Christians, we play an important role to pray for others. In most situations, God will answer our prayers if it is indeed his will. So, how do we plan to pray like this? I tend to miss one of the prayer points listed above when I pray. For example, let's say I want to pray everything at one go but I will miss out one. For example, after I prayed for our country, I missed praying to pray for the world.

An alternative way that I thought is that we take one or two prayer points daily. By doing so, we will cover all of them. Is this way of praying effective? We can also join the corporate prayer at church or we can also pray in our cell group. The thing about praying in the cell or bible study group is that we do not share completely our prayer needs with all the group members. There are certain prayer needs which we think are too personal to share with others. We may decide not to share with some of our cell group members because we are not close to them. I also find that sometimes, people are praying for us but we do not know about it. We should also humble ourselves when we pray. This will help us to be able to pray for others. Our prayer also needs to be sincere. We should set our hearts on it. It also must not be an act of showing others that we are a prayerful person. This is the act of a hypocrite. Prayer is a part of a Christian. A Christian needs to balance this with other Christian activities depending on his or her individual gifts and skills whether it's doing the projector at church, worship, fellowship, cell group, evangelism, IT skills or quiet time. Some of us are better than others in certain things. Therefore, we all should work together and support each other as brothers and sisters in Christ to achieve the target of what God has planned for us. In a nutshell, we should have a mindset of everything that we do or say, it is for God's glory as emphasised by Paul. A good book to read on prayer is A Call to Spiritual Reformation written by D.A. Carson. He focuses on Paul's prayers in the book where the prayer that Paul prays was for the growth of churches and believers in other churches. He did not pray for his own life or that he prayed so that he would be free from the prison then. It is hard to practice this in real life though. For those who are working, we will know that it is more difficult to pray. When I come back from work on weekdays, I will be feeling a little tired. I normally pray before I sleep but I tend to miss out some prayer points as I mentioned on top. We prefer to rest and entertain ourselves after a day's work. I hope that I am able to change this. I should be more discipline in my prayer life.

There are a lot of things to be prayed for in the world today. Currently, there is the Influenza H1N1 situation which could become a pandemic. We can also pray for peace in Thailand. In Malaysia, we can pray for the Mat Rempits and the snatch thieves incidents. Two ladies were killed as a result of the snatch thieves. In addition, we can pray for the economic crisis in US. Other prayer points are stated in the list above. These are some examples of the things that we can pray for.

I want to be a person who prays not only for myself and my family but also for the world as well. I pray that I will be more fruitful and more diligent in my prayer and my quiet time sot hat I can know God better.

That's all,

Rogerkoo

Give Us Clean Hands, Sing Sing Sing, Everlasting God and Made to Worship

Hi Everyone, Here are some of the newer Christians song that I recently sang at church or heard of, Give Us Clean Hands, Sing Sing Sing, Everlasting God and Made To Worship. Didn't know that Give Us Clean Hands and Everlasting God are Chris Tomlin's songs. However for Everlasting God, the original singer seems to be Lincoln Brewster. The Youtube Video for Everlasting God by Lincoln Brewster had more than 688,000 hits. Chris Tomlin's only had over 250,000. This means that Chris Tomlin did a version of the song. I like the introduction so. Embedded here is the Lincoln Brewster's version. You can watch the Chris Tomlin's version at Everlasting God-Chris Tomlin. I first sang Sing Sing Sing at First Baptist Church last year. The tune is really catchy. Certain parts of the lyrics are not bad. Have fun listening to it. Made to Worship is another Chris Tomlin's song. Actually I first listened it from a CD that my sister got. It was actually Chris Tomlin's song from one of his albums, See the Morning. Have fun watching the four videos below: Give Us Clean Hands Everlasting God Sing Sing Sing Made to Worship That's all, Rogerkoo

Couple of Lizards and Spoiled TV

Hi Everyone,

I came back late at work tonight. I only left my office at 2203. My mum came to fetch me around 2230 and arrived home at about 2255. I watched an anime and had soup and a slice of salmon. Before I went to shower, I looked outside the window and saw there lizards on the ceiling at my house garage. They formed a triangle near the lights. Haha. These are the pictures taken:

The TV at home is spoiled today too. I was watching anime this morning around 1145. Suddenly, the whole screen went blank during advertisements and there was a loud sound. I thought it was a sound coming from outside. I then put Astro on standby mode and switched off the TV and there was no more sound. My mum then turned on the TV and the sound was still there. This is the TV at home: Can see my reflection there. Hehe. It is a Sony TV.

That's all for now.