I saw this long long story and find it distorted. Well if it could outreach so be it but it will definitely not attract me because it is encouraging life of slaves. The marketing technique was to instill guilt into people and I believe thats not its true essence. Someone have to suffer so others can enjoy? That's something built from slavery, it's like saying the slaves gotta sacrifice in order for railtracks and pyramids to be built, though in the bigger picture it helped, but to achieve that using such harsh means is that really kindness and gracious? What authority does the professor has? Why do we often allow our lives to be controlled by others? Who else actually has the authority over our lives?

I agreed with one comment which stated:

The lecturer uses a physical object as a gift/reward for his students, which is the opposite of what Jesus/Christianity promises it's believers, which would be, 'Eternal Life', A place in heaven, forgiveness of sins, and other non-physical rewards.

 If the lecturer were to really implement Christianity's way in which it operates, the lecturer would say:

"Do you, (name) want a doughnut? I'll ask (name) to do ten pushups now, and you will receive your doughnut when you go home/die." 

Also, the lecturer must state the fact that he has no evidence that anyone has ever received a doughnut from him because when they go home/die, they never ever contact him or be contacted.

Plus, that's just the tip of the iceberg: 

- How does the party/doughnut/pushups/punishment/reward all co-relate? Doesn't really add up well. 
- How does the extra students add up to the punishment if they didn't take the test?

So anyway, I think that the outreach strategy and the message sent out is not really reflecting its true essence, which instead would provoke stirs of reactions and outrage of emotions among educated people. It is to an extent bullshit, like plucking random stories and label it as parables or testimonies that are usually shallow. Why dont they just simply spread the actually parables? Wouldnt it be better? Anyway the whole text:

A Religion Professor named Dr. Christianson taught a required survey of Christianity course at small college. Every freshman was required to take the course regardless of his or her major. Although he tried hard to communicate the gospel, students viewed the class as nothing more than a waste of time. 

 One particular year Dr. Christianson had a student named Steve. Steve was the Center for the college football team and also a strong Christian who intended on going to Seminary. One day Dr. Christianson had an idea and he asked Steve to stay after class. "How many push-ups can you do?" He asked. Steve said, "I do 200 every night." The professor asked Steve if he could do 300. "I have never done 300 before" Steve said, "but I think I can do it." "Good," the professor said, and he proceeded to tell his plan to Steve. 

Friday came and Steve got to class early. Dr. Christianson came in with a large box of fluffy, cream filled doughnuts. The class was excited, it was Friday the last class of the day, and they could start their weekend early. Dr. Christianson went to the first girl in the row and asked, "Cynthia would you like a donut?" "Yes," she said. Dr. Christianson then turned to Steve and asked, "Steve would you do ten push-ups so that Cynthia can have a donut?" "Sure." Steve jumped down out of his desk and counted off ten push-ups. Dr. Christianson laid the donut on Cynthia’s desk. Joe was next. He asked Joe the same question and Joe said "yes." 

Steve did 10 more pushups and the professor laid the doughnut on Joe’s desk. And so it went all the way down the first row and half way down the second until it came to Scott. He was a basketball player and friendly to female companionship. Scott replied to the professor’s question by saying, "I want the doughnut if I can do my own push-ups." Dr. Christianson said, "No Steve has to do the pushups." Then Scott said, "Well I don’t want one if I can’t do my own." Dr. Christian turned around and asked, "Steve, would you do ten push-ups so Scoot can have a donut he doesn’t want." Scott said, "Hey! I said I didn’t want one!" Dr. Christianson said, "Look, this is my classroom, my class, my desks, and these are my donuts, Just leave it on the desk if you don’t want it." And he put the donut on Scott’s desk. Steve had begun to slow down a little and sweat had begun to form on his cheeks. Dr. Christianson started down the third row. Students were beginning to get a little angry. Dr. Christianson asked Jenny, "Jenny, do you want a donut?" Sternly, Jenny said, "NO!" Then Dr. Christianson asked, "Steve, would you do ten more push-ups so Jenny can have a donut that she doesn’t want?" Steve did ten-Jenny got a doughnut. 

By now a sense of uneasiness had filled the room. The students were all beginning to say "no." There were uneaten donuts on every desk. Steve was now putting forth a lot of extra effort to get the pushups done for each doughnut. A small pool of sweat was on the floor, his face was red, and you could see the sweat soaking through his shirt. Dr. Christianson asked Robert, the most vocal unbeliever in class, to watch to make sure Steve did the full ten. Dr. Christianson started down the fourth row. Students from other classes had come in and were sitting along the side of the room watching on. When the professor saw them he counted and saw that there were now 34 people in the room. He was worried about Steve, "Could he do that many push-ups?" Jason, a recent transfer student, didn’t know what was going on and came in to see. The class yelled, "Go away! Don’t come in!" Steve picked up his head and said, "Let him come in." Jason was asked and he said "yes." "Steve will you do ten push-ups so Jason can have a donut?" Steve did ten pushups very slowly and with great struggle. Jason, confused, was handed a donut and he sat down. Dr. Christianson then finished the fourth row and began on the visitors. Steve’s arms were shaking uncontrollably with each push up. By this time sweat was pouring off of his face and arms. The very last two students were cheerleaders. "Linda, do you want a donut?" Linda cried and said, "No thank you." Professor turned to Steve, "Steve would you do ten push-ups so Linda can have a donut she doesn’t want?" Grunting from the effort, Steve did ten very slow push-ups for Linda. The last girl was Susan. "Susan would you like a donut?" Susan was full of tears and did not answer. "Steve, would you do ten push-ups so Susan can have a donut?" Susan asked, "Dr. Christianson why can’t I help him?" Dr. Christianson had tears in his eyes also and replied, "I have given him this task and he is in charge of seeing that everyone has an opportunity for a donut whether they want it or not. When I decided to have a party I looked at the grade book and found that Steve was the only person with a perfect grade. All of you had failed a test, skipped class, or turned in inferior work. Steve told me that in football practice, when a player messes up he must do push-ups. I told Steve that none of you could come to my party unless he paid the price by doing your push-ups. He and I made a deal for your sakes." 

Steve slowly got up off the floor; he had done 350 push-ups, his arms buckled beneath him as he started to get up. Two students helped Steve up off the floor and to a seat, physically exhausted, but wearing a thin smile. "Well done good and faithful servant", said the professor, "not all sermons are preached in words class." Turning to the students the professor said, "My wish is that you may fully comprehend all the riches of grace and mercy that have been given to you through the sacrifice of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. God did not spare His only Son but gave him up for all of us. Whether or not we accept His gift is our choice. The price has been paid. Wouldn’t you be foolish and ungrateful to leave it lying on the desk?

by Jerry: 突然发现自己已经不能像以前那样傻笑了...是失去...是得到...还是拥有...面具?哪一面是真,哪一面是假...希望自己永远都能是最真实的自己,一直都是. :D

On Mon we went for kite flying, thats where Id learn the different types of kites, normal, delta, stunt. And also I found out how expensive is kite flying. I spent a total of 110 bucks on kites alone and another 30 for picnic snacks for consumption there. Hoped they have seen a beautiful side of sg =) then we went home.

Yesterday we did nth but slacked at my house. Originally i wanted to do origami to collect and give them away when I visit kids. But then I had to ensure they do their homework, so I turned it to a study session. Mostly Chi and Maths. Then left J playing poker, thank god there is poker. He was really upset cuz he turned up unexpectedly so I didnt know...

Anyway, after that I retuned Sheng's calculator, and thus I was wearing maroon red along the reservoir and I noticed joggers staring at me haha. Its so ridiculous how that string of incidents caused ppl to be so illogical. Like security guards forbidding me to take photographs of the sunset thinking I want to suicide? Would dyign ppl take photographs of the sunset???!! Haha....

Then I had this joke on fb to have a dare to all wear red and sing along the reservoir: we are singapore~~ we are singapore~~ lets all jump down together into the reservoir~~ haha I really wondered what if national day falls on 7th month hahahah. Ofcoz, its just a joke.......

Anyway so I rewatched a few movies like we not naughty...... then there was this scene where the rebellious son do not want the mother to care about his stuffs, and thought back of me, though I often mention what I had done only after ive done it, I often scuff in frustrations when they ask me while im having the event, I would often say "my problem"..... I guess I gotta change this, dont wait until its over then say, though they still happy, but its better to say beforehand.

Well speaking of dont wait until its over, I actually teared a little when the 9pm drama teacher left the sch. Then the concept, not everything we put in effort will have its results. 百年树人 takes long time to nurture a human being. Often the results comes when the beneficiaries took up the legacy left behind.

Tonight, I shall pull dequan into wushu, to better appreciate chinese culture.

Then I watched Shaolin by Andy Lau Jackie Chan. Haha watched it cuz at kite flying, my strings got tangled, then I commented to leave it to me as I "meditate" with it haha. Indeed there are many forms of  参禅 meditation. Got those quiet one, got through wushu, got through chores, and now through strings! Haha, isnt it amazing how one single long strain of string, could lock and knot together like that???

Finally got a chance to blog again. Well, lets start on Fri, after everything was off, literally EVERYTHING~!!!

I was so high that I got a little out of my mind to call home to check if they have eaten dinner, and then ordered 30 bucks worth of zhu chao for them. A large portion of the cost is by the chef's speciality which is some combination of chicken and fish. It's really combination, each slice was made out of thin sliced chicken and fish fried together. Really nice and unique.

Then sat pop excel as usual, but before that I went for Sg's first audio mob, with Jorgen, and collected my campus run shirt as well as made my starbucks card. Hmm, really feel bad asking him down for a a few hours. He is that much of a good friend, to come down for just a little while, to have a simple lunch. Really awesome guy.

Anyway, so I rushed back for the guest speaker, Ian Poulier. He is a motivational speaker I guess, well verse in psy, and excellent approach of attention grabbing that made the youths actually willing to listen. Anyway, besides the cliches, I actually find one of what he said really cool. Mirror can make your weaknesses seems big. There was this famous story of the emperor commenting to his loyal subordinate, that bronze mirror can reflect his appearance, history as a mirror can reflect his mistakes and improve on them, but a friend as a mirror would reflect the truth of him. Then coupled with what he said, yea, not all mirrors are good, some of these actually exaggerates your weaknesses that we are blinded from the millions of potential we all still have. So we should focus less on the negative sides of things, even if it comes from people close to you, focus more on the fact that we are all awesome. 

So be it that we are social butterfly, that we are lousy in certain areas, etc, but hey we are all imperfect, so we should better use our strengths instead of crying over spoilt milk =) not spilled cuz its a weakness not a mistake.

Then at cell we were talking about unjust at sch and at home and ofcoz in NS. I thought back of how I held the knife at lower primary sch in hostel where i faced unjust. The fact that its still anchored within me reflects on how deeply it has affected me, that im extra sensitive to unjust throughout. Then linnet commented, that at times we should actually remember that we are all working for God, not humans, humans disappoints, God will reward fairly. And as much as people disappoints us, we disappoints them, esp I do think I had dissapointed Fairoz and Terence and all of them. I shall be more devoted to school life in the next sem!!

Today I went for bball, then visit Samy, and then took up a new kite flying hobby that had cost me $110 bucks. Ouch~!!!

Its late at night again, told myself to turn in early today but couldnt. After project meeting, I went to Swensen for the 2 for 10 bucks Tower Sundae deal, then went back to sch early for CDS Econs, only to find that there isnt tutorial, and final paper was yesterday. So I basically missed the whole paper. I gotta retake CDS. I really hope I do get the same CDS and same teacher. She is rather patient and kind, just like Ms Chong from BBF. Spekaing of that, havent really studied for the test, tmr 7pm. Sigh. Luckily the presentation tomorrow morning was alright, so after that I got plenty of time to revise.

Today I was listening to the song, "味道" (smell). So yes it got me thinking a few smells of ppl in my life. Like somehow, everyone has a certain kind of smell. It's quite interesting how the writer could use this as a content for a song. True enough, as much as it may sound disgusting, I think at times we do yearn for a certain smell of somebody close, like grandma, or other loved ones. I somehow have a few distinct smell that I really miss besides Grandma, not gonna write it here but yea.

Then following that I listened to "旧爱还是最美" (Old love is better), yes the lyrics I talked about twice in my blog, about 2 ppl that might be meant for each other but loved at the wrong time. I just find it amazing how the singer could blend in the talking part with his vocal, its like half the line is talking, half of them is singing. It's really awesome! And nice lyrics too~! Old love is definitely better, who would forget their first kiss? No right? And that feeling where you fall into relationship for the first time, being loved and to love, that  experience that drives people to want it to last forever, only to fade after some time then causes imbalance in the brain and thus motivated to reduce that drive.

Then the famous Zhang Yu's "趁早". The song talks about love becoming like a habit, to actually becoming like an act, constantly acting as if sweet loving couple, but there is no longer chemistry and etc. The song writes about whether the couple could appreciate the period of relationship, and end it without any harsh feelings.

But then again, yea many married couples do not necessary have love to begin with. And they could still survive, some even self create happiness out of the situation, what we should all do. And thus the more I am impressed with Chris, to be able to be by her side despite the "burden" he had to carry. And also all the parents who chose to raise "abnormal" children. I really admire them. I really dont think I am able to do that.

I really find old chinese pop singers are so full of talent and amazing vocal skill. Furthermore, their emotion and lyrics are so deep and  impactful. I really hope that teen nowadays could start appreciating such culture. Anyway, been sort of forcing a friend to improve his chinese by sending him "challenges" to be completed haha, well, he is still to involved in his CCA i guess, gotta motivate more. Dont know about another one where I tried motivated him to put effort in studying by giving lots of examples of the difference between educated and non-educated ppl, and etc, a long chat to Sengkang.

Anyway, bad news, just as my dad started to have some nice start in a business, turns up that months ago there is this article that causes a large decline in sales, causing cash flow problems, and causing lots of changes in policy, and so lots of risk that they might use unauthentic means to reduce the impact, and due to the limited liability thing, get away rich, leaving the investors broke.

Sigh, and at the same time, Ive been a spendthrift indulging in luxury food. Sigh. Well anyway, we used 3 of the vouchers of the Amazing Race for Toast Box, a rare supper with parents. Felt great. Sigh, what will happen in the future? What my future holds?

Anyway, the new drama, got this awesome "brother", where they are not blood related, but since pri the rich one would always share half of his dime for him, and now share his house with him, being is housemate. How I yearn to have such a brother. Hmm.    

Take a look at the desert

Do you feel like a grain of sand? 

I am with you wherever 

Where you go is where I am 

Today I performed SanJieGun again. I thought that I would perform BaGuaZhang, but instead sx asked me to perform SanJieGun.

So I performed, this time, I actually asked to give me a good ending, and it turned out great, no mistakes, al perfect, and the audiences applause generously. So then I asked whether this is a sign for me to quit performing, so ive been performing over an over again, this is the only time I actually received a simple compliment from sx, "you did well", after so many years, ever since my first nan quan performance and the zhong he quan. Esp sjg, never once I think I have compliment, be it group or solo. But then again, this could be a indication of a milestone, that Ive achieved and that I should continue to give audience a good show. Im in dilemma then.

Anyway, someone liked my post in a project group wall, then I suddenly felt damn happy, even though I think the person not in good terms? i dont know, just sense that the clique hates me or something. So yea the like brightens my day. Oh right, its monday now, hope the week goes by smoothly.

Tmr need to renew passport.

I stumbled across the seed I bought in Noahs Ark HK, cool, I think I shall give it to DQ soon, so 3 of the guys each have one, Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Speaking of this, I think the girls in our cell have been here for a year already, it is this period they joined. Really glad to have them around. I know my lousy time management always made them reach home late, get scolded etc, its sort of a habit I have since young, im too free spirited that time is like nothing to me.

SO I really appreciate that they all have been so compromising, esp their ears, from the parents nag as well as from my singing, and their support since then. The cell grew really big, hope that we all could do so too, comprehensively, in all areas. As we grow, we would see our mistakes more clearly. A great pillar of support, a source of happiness, a community worth belonging in.

They all have storms to brace, we are all humans, but as they take refuge in Him, we all walked through it as a cell too, unafraid, firm on our solid rock ground. Hopefully as time passes we could gain acceptance from their parents and peers too, we worship Him with our lives itself. We are the branches, the hands and feet, hopefully to reach and make a difference to more "starfishes" drying up on the shore, with living water. Really happy.

Oh yes, last thing, I sent CL back to sengkang, on our way I motivated him to study, let him understand the importance of qualification, how passion and reality must me realistic, and add oil to his passion of wushu, explaining certain concepts and reasons behind the forms and our teaching methods, etc. I hope he will get soemthing out of it. =)

Oh, and I also told DQ what Jacky said,  演艺界犹如架飞机，重点不在于飞多高，飞多远，而是在于它达到目的的时降落的那种完美，那种美妙. Sometimes the importance is not at how high it could soar, how far it could reach, but the gracefulness and completeness of how it lands upon reaching the destination.

Another week passed. Besides a few sleep-deprived nights, I think I had more rest than last week, in expense of few tutorials ofcoz. Anyway, so my first few days were busy training and rehearsing for the skit wushu performance on wed, which in the end was scraped, sigh. Then again, my sjg performance was dissed. So I thank my cell members for coming down even though i did not publicize it. My only regret - not eating the food prepared for us. Initially I accepted the performance for the food, but then I was crushed by the comment that I forgo the 40 bucks dinner. Sad. So that would be my last few performance, with one upcoming just this sun.

Some commented too, that at least the audiences enjoyed my performance and etc, but hey, ever since my first performance on nan quan, I had not received any praises at all, and I felt that my efforts put in, in turning up for trianings and etc does not give me a good payout. And I have hard time understanding baguazhang though the last theory lesson on one of the move got be excited to learn more. Well, since Im constantly engaged in so many activities, I guess its time that I put wushu aside, I shall just be a normal trainer, taking up the eunos class in september, and occasionally go down bedok until I have more task to teach.

Channel 8 gonna have new drama, I think is another remake of the Shine On Me, I hope the content would be better? Cuz its damn boring to see that few same cliche problems students face in sch.

Ah yes, lately I just realize I think the whole class hates me or something. Sigh, how I wished to go back to sem 1. I dont know, felt that I tried my best to be in good term with everyone, why result in so many sarcastic comments and indirect comments by facebook status updates and etc. So I blocked almost the whole class, I adopt the escapist way. I dont know, I think though Im lazy, but my work produced Im confident that it is of quality, and all my outside activities will ofcoz divide my attention. Sigh, I even see some comments like "Im lucky I didnt have to stuck with you in this sem". So I suppose the class might be all commenting on me to each other. Whatever the case larh, half my poly life is over, just a little more to go~

Nevertheless, I enjoyed the skits and fun and cards of sem 1, I am grateful for that fun period of time.

And the gift is what you get by givin' more than you receive.
And you're learnin' fast that maybe this is how you'll be happy.
'Cause in takin' everything you lost the air you need to breath.
But in givin' it away, you found the precious thing you seek.

An old song from Blue, nice lyrics.

And its already Aug..... I still havent found a purpose in my life for this year yet. Instead, I think this whole year I mood is really bad. Sigh.

Today cell was awesome, see the reaction of cell members. Really glad to have them in my life. At least Im sure there will be people to depend on if I were to need them.

Lay your troubles on my shoulder 
Put your worries in my pocket 
Rest your love on me awhile 

Warren Schmidt: I know we're all pretty small in the big scheme of things, and I suppose the most you can hope for is to make some kind of difference, but what kind of difference have I made? What in the world is better because of me?


Today in gender issues, we were introduced to this movie, and this quote kindda struck me, I used to be thinking the same way. I totally could understand how he was feeling. The last part of the movie is really awesome, when he reached his peak of meaningless, he received a lteer from an orphanage he have been sponsoring, which resustitated him in the sense that he have realise his worth, and a purpose to his life. For me, this year, I havent found my purpose of life yet, and half the year is gone. Perhaps, this is a year for me to rest, and start again next year.


Today after a nap, decided to skip lecture, and thus thought that I have free time, so I smsed the wushu youths to meet up, thinking that it would be the best time to give them the gifts, for sx is not around, grading had just passed, and they are free. However, in the end, cl and ky couldnt make it, so we met up and have a little chat and fun, thats all. Ok ba, simple bonding session, every bit counts. Really hope that they would continue on, esp Youlian, hope that he would not leave us behind if he were to achieve going into his sch wushu. 


Anyway, yea recently Ive enrolled myself into a whole list of event. 

Wed 8 Aug - Wushu 
Thur 9 Aug - Amazing Race
Sun 12 Aug - Wushu  
Wed 22 Aug - Elder Dance
Wed 27 Aug - Sgcare Promo
Thur 28 Aug - Photo/sgcare p
Fri 29 Aug - Elder Dance
Thur 30 Aug - Parenting
Sun 2 Sep - Lyrical HipHop
Tue 4 Sep - HumanTraf
Sat 8 Sep - Walk for Rice
Sun 9 Sep - Break Dance
Tue 11 Sep - Flashmob
Wed 12 Sep - Flashmob
Fri 14 Sep - LA Salsa
Sun 16 Sep - Fencing 
Sun 23 Sep - Fencing 
Fri 5th Oc - Stomp 
Sat 13 Oct - Serb
Sun 14 Oct - Musical
Fri 19 Oct  - Dance Perf
Nov 17 - TedxYouth

Today after Mala last lecture I went to esplanade for La Cage Aux Folles. Really weird to think that I would go to watch musicals, but the 50% student deal attracted me too much. Thus I bought the best category tix, right in the middle of the theater. 58 for such seats, I think is worth it. Then, as the show goes on, I felt it was really worth it. They actually took the musical into singapore context, with jokes like mrt breakdowns, good cause to sponsor singing career, Tan Jin Gui, sg coffeeshop slangs and some other witty jokes are awesome, especially with Hossan Leong as Jacob or Claudie. Love his expression, always being the "extra" one to interrupt within conversation, siding the protagonist Albin, until one part where George bribed him with 100 and he "accidentally" showed it to Albin haha. There are some funny reference to the lyrics too like, "20 years ago the waves still can crash on east coast, now might have oil stains" haha. And there are few funny parts like how Albin tried to eat you char kuey by blowjob action hahaha!

I had a good night at the musical.

The musical gave me a few deep thoughts, the story was about a homosexual family with a heterosexual son who wanted to marry a daughter of an advocate to anti-homo. Then the meet the parents condition excluded Albin, which made him sad, for he has devoted to the family so much yet the most important life transition of their son, John. So the whole musical is not too much of the homosexual theme but rather acceptance and unconditional love.

Really, its truly to accept everyone as who they are, in line with their song, I am who I am. In sociologist point of view, we should not hope that things change, but rather hope that we can understand, accept and embrace the diversity of culture. And ofcoz, to cherish everyone by your side that really cared for you. Albin had put in so much for John, in no way he could exclude this "mother" for the meet-the-in-laws session.

"How often is someone concerned

With the tiniest thread of your life?

Concerned with whatever you feel

And whatever you touch?

Somebody cares that much.

How often does somebody sense

That you need them without being told?

When you have a hurt in your heart

You're too proud to disclose?

 Somebody always knows.

When your world spins too fast,

And your bubble has burst,

Someone puts himself last,

So that you can come first."

Totally awesome song. Then I realized I'm wearing the bracelet thingy that a friend gave, and thought of catching up with him again. Really, it was one of the more heartfelt gift I have ever received. It suits my liking, he knows that Im a rather egoistic person that liked to show off, esp ornaments like this. I will not lose this person in my life, I shall cherish him, in terms of friends ofcoz!

 I think the musical has better actors, context and props that the original or the revival one in Broadway. I greatly encourage Sgreans to support local theater production especially with 50% student deal. I have no idea how to publicize this even more, hope that through these few days I can encourage some sales. Esp students, why willing to spend so much money on KPOP merchanize of foreign language and not much talents nor content? Support such production will be better, better content, better display of skills, better environment and best cause to help our own potentials to bring out more for us. This really goads me to fund brilliant scripts and productions for the sake of having their creativity and ideas spread to the nation. 

Anyway, on the train back, my playlist jumped to an oldie, 周華健-愛相隨, I think it has a similar theme to the musical, and it reaffirm that oldies have the greatest and most impactful lyrics.... 

人分飛　愛相隨　 

那怕用一生去追　 

我又怎麼能追得回　與你相慰 

People come and go, each in different directions 

Often we got to use our lifetime to pursue something we love 

But how do I chase back the moments that we used to have 

我為你癡　為你累　 

風雨我都不後悔　 

我又怎麼有路可退　 

曾經深情　你給了誰　 

我如何面對 

I have spend so much on you 

That irrationality, that fatigue 

But I dont utter a moan 

How do I even retreat? 

 How do I even face? 

The beautiful past that still haunts me 

 Cherish people~~ Cherish moment~~ Cherish life~~