The petrina7 MicroUniverse

Starting on page 1

2011-01-28T01:22:00.001+08:00

The secret i'm keeping on page 1

What is an effective lawyer?

2010-08-12T19:41:00.003+08:00

What is an effective lawyer?this question was one i found myself asking myself at the end of a simulated negotiation exercise, after we had discussed our various approaches in conducting negotiations. notably, one group was described as' incongruent bastards' who couldn't make up their minds as to whether to be nice or to kill the other side. :Pnevertheless, it was really the lecturer's last

Reflections from across the Causeway

2010-08-08T23:51:00.003+08:00

Hi there! i'm now in Singapore to further my studies over at NUS, and have been here since last Saturday, making it a week since i've touched down in Changi.it's only been one week, but i m struck by the differences between SG and MS - for one thing, the road signs are mostly in English and there are hordes more Chinese (whether from Mainland China or Singaporeans). i have been mistaken as Korean

the Bar and the Tarot cards

2010-07-04T23:24:00.004+08:00

Just last night i was at Skybar with some schoolmates post birthday celebs (some of whom i hadn't seen in about 10 years or so!) when one of my schoolmates met a colleague there. this same colleague came over and chatted my friend up with ... a pack of Tarot cards.no, seriously, he had a pack of Tarot cards in his pouch. Mr. Smooth Talker asked my friend to shuffle some cards and pick a few out,

walking to Padang Kota

2010-06-27T22:22:00.002+08:00

today, just for the heck of it, i walked from my house to Padang Kota, this field next to Tune Hotels opposite Sunway Damansara. saw a bunch of kids playing football and flying kites (literally ok!), the ever present 'laksa' stall selling 'cendol pulut', 'tapai' and 'ABC' and quite unfortunately- rubbish strewn all over from an upturned dustbin. it's sad, and i wondered how long the rubbish had

It is Jesus

2010-06-20T01:07:00.003+08:00

"It is Jesus that you seek when you dream of happiness; He is waiting for you when nothing else you find satisfies you; He is the beauty to which you are so attracted; it is He who provoked you with that thirst for fullness that will not let you settle for compromise; it is He who urges you to shed the masks of a false life; it is He who reads in your heart your most genuine choices, the choices

do you really love yourself?

2010-05-26T23:08:00.002+08:00

don't bother asking the narcissist - this is not meant for him/her. do you really love yourself?all those stubborn bits of fat, and the parts of your character you'd rather hide, or that pimply face. or maybe the fact you're slower, not as fast or clever or quick as Bright Eyes over there. or as beautiful and popular as the Social Butterfly fluttering from table to table.in fact, you look at the

crossroads point 1

2010-05-11T22:06:00.006+08:00

i'm still waiting, but i'm not holding my breath,hardly a matter hanging between life and death,i'm taken this path for so long, it's taken me thus far,going to keep walking till i reach that faraway star.nobody can tell me i shouldn't feel this waythose dreams mean nothing, and that's what they say,if i'm standing up for someone, i'd have to start with me,or else i huddle in a corner, shivering

Reflecting anew / Of weddings and new births / mounting a challenge

2010-04-28T22:22:00.003+08:00

Reflecting anew - and reevaluating my relationships. it's a fallacy to think that we exist in isolation, and the old aphorism that 'no man is an island' per John Donne rings true.i've had cause to relook certain relationships in my life after a sequence of events recently, some of which hurt and disappointed me greatly.perhaps i would have said i ought to forgive and forget, and move on. as if it

the petrina7 MicroUniverse is now 7 YEARS OLD!

2010-04-19T21:09:00.003+08:00

yes, you heard right. it's now officially 7 years old, this blog of mine. :DHAPPY BIRTHDAY TO A PLACE WHICH HAS BORNE WITNESS TO SO MANY MEMORIES.happy ones like graduation and good times with family and friends. the genting road trip. the penang road trip. the UK Commonwealth Moot experience. Sekinchan and photography. eating different kinds of good food. :)silly ones like the time we tried to

blessed easter / the encounter/ continuing the journey

2010-04-04T17:12:00.006+08:00

(googled - image of the risen Christ) Blessed Easter to all.Alleluia - the Lord is risen indeed.After a Lenten period which culminated in what i can only describe as bleak circumstances this Good Friday, i felt like all was lost indeed.tell me what was i fighting for, what i was striving for, lost. indescribably lonely and sad.pulling out of Putrajaya that hot afternoon, i made my way to SIC -

antara penantian dan penyudahan

2010-03-30T09:46:00.002+08:00

antara penantian dan penyudahansepi sunyi. bertaburan kertas bersepah atas lantaisisa daripada kehidupan yang sudah pun berlalu,yang menjadi sebahagian daripada kenangansepia warna hitam putihriak wajah muda mudi. sememangnya perjalanan wajar ditempuhisememangnya segala yang diharungiberpunya hikmah di sebaliknya,namunantara penantian dan penyudahannikmat kecapi bercampuradukkan kesedihan,

not for us to pray

2010-03-22T21:59:00.002+08:00

It is for us to pray not for tasks equal to our powers, but for powers equal to our tasks, to go forward with a great desire forever beating at the door of our hearts as we travel toward our distant goal.- Helen Keller -

Do you trust Me / A Witness to Hope / Self Knowledge

2010-03-20T18:54:00.004+08:00

As some of you may know by now, I am currently attending the Quick Journey through the Bible classes on Sunday and expect to graduate next Sunday (end of March). We're currently halfway through the Old Testament, having covered the Early World, the Patriarchs, Exodus and Exile and Desert Wanderings.it sounds like a whole lotta history. but over and over again, this question resounds : do you

updates / the truth / gym or bust?

2010-03-15T23:36:00.004+08:00

i suddenly realised i haven't actually been updating any readers here of what's been going on in my life so far.dear readers, i am still alive. naturally. it's just the difference between existing and living ... :PApril sets to be an exciting month as i :1. attend 2 courses in Bangi. you won't believe it. one is on MS Word, and the other on blog site investigations. well, all knowledge, no matter

Doom II

2010-02-26T23:35:00.003+08:00

hey does anyone remember the game Doom II?that FPS game where you are a Marine faced against the forces of Hell, armed with (in order) your bare fists, a pistol, a shotgun, a chaingun, a rocket launcher, a plasma gun and the BFG 4000? oh, i left out the chainsaw. :Pit was blood. gore. guts. creepy sound effects and the darkness which would scare the bejeebers out of you when you played it late at

temptations and the season of lent

2010-02-20T21:09:00.003+08:00

it's far too hot now for my liking, i m sweating even as i type this. the kind of heat that settles into the deepest pores of your skin and forces the sweat out and you feel your entire body on fire.now perhaps it's only time that those old and bitter memories float to the surface - awaiting another round of challenge this season of lent. the faces, the names, most days they don't mean a thing.

physics and philosophy

2010-02-10T23:19:00.003+08:00

i've always liked physics and the observance of laws in motion - Bernoulli's law, Hooke's Law, the 3 Newtonian laws - to name a few, and consider in amazement, momentum, the force of gravity and vectors. and of course, Einstein's theory of relativity. it boggles the mind to realise that Einstein first began his theorem by imagining what the speed of light would look like. ...there is something

from eros to agape / grace / discerning the path

2010-02-03T21:41:00.007+08:00

for the longest time, he was my best friend. i'm still not sure when i fell in love. or when it all changed into something else. but we saw each other through good and bad moments, we cried together in the face of the death of one of his dearest friends, and we celebrated each other's successes and cherished the dreams we held deep in our hearts.we shared something so beautiful - every single

the BMW i m better off without

2010-01-06T23:15:00.003+08:00

yeah. you read that right.BMW = Bitching Moaning Whining (person/s)that's the BMW i'm better off without.you can't call people like that friends. no, with friends like those, who needs enemies?they keep on complaining about their lot in life, how much work they have to do, how little the firm/company/organisation pays them, how many files are stacked up on their desks, how little life they have

Happy 2010/ the necessity of reason

2010-01-02T21:16:00.003+08:00

firstly, Happy 2010 to all the readers of this humble space on the web - thank you for your comments and/or feedback. Here's to making 2010 an even better year than 2009 and realising our fullest potential.cheers! (raises a toast)***recently there have been some tumultous events in the country - events which have brought to the fore strong beliefs and even stronger prejudices. i realise again the

What's your Holiday Personality?

2009-12-21T23:39:00.000+08:00

Your Holiday Personality is CaringYour holidays are all about connecting and sharing. This is a sacred time of year, and you like to spend it with those who are special to you.You like to make sure everyone around you is comfortable, full of love (and goodies!), and healthy.You love to surprise people with the best Christmas gifts ever. You will search high and low for that perfect present.You

Year End Review

2009-12-17T12:40:00.004+08:00

It's almost the tail end of 2009. As i listen to the strains of yet another Christmas song, i sit and reflect on what has made 2009 such a memorable year for me.Firstly, of course, is my career change. i had not imagined that i would end up working as Federal Counsel in the Attorney General's Chambers, in Putrajaya no less. after a year and a half of wandering about in the land of conveyancing

Our heart is restless

2009-11-24T05:50:00.002+08:00

You are great, O Lord, and greatly to be praised: great is your power and your wisdom is without measure. And man, so small a part of your creation, wants to praise you: this man, though cloaked with mortality and bearing the evidence of sin and the proof that you withstand the proud. Despite everything, man, though but a small part of your creation, wants to praise you. You yourself encourage

the sparkle and shine of a life well lived

2009-11-18T22:41:00.003+08:00

the sparkle and shine of a life well lived do not always translate into a sparkling and shiny body, whole and immaculately perfect.what do i mean? i mean that a life well lived does not mean that the body will be spared. in fact the reverse is true ... in that living life well, we will necessarily go through many different experiences, some fun, some not so fun, some bordering on hellish.and each

one of those days again

2009-11-04T00:29:00.004+08:00

one of those days again, when i fell asleep on my bed from dinnertime til about 12 plus, minus showering, minus taking off my contacts. woke up feeling grouchy, joints all coming loose and tired but not tired either i.e. cannot sleep.so i m still up now.maybe because i came across something which disturbed me a fair bit yday morning? i think so too. i mean, it's not like i don't respect your

the second birth - and beyond

2009-10-25T20:23:00.003+08:00

i write this entry simply to describe the beginnings of my second birth, and to chart my tale beyond my second birth. and in essence, to share the good news i have received.it wouldn't be far from the truth to say that i've been laden for so long with so much emotional baggage that i couldn't imagine a life without those burdens. day in day out, struggle with uncertainty, with a painful lack of

to think she was different

2009-10-08T21:14:00.004+08:00

what does it feel like to look up to someone, think hey, she's different, she's not like the others, she has honour, courage, intelligence, the willingness to work hard and maybe even some kindness and understanding? she stood out, stood above heads and shoulders of those around her. you could sense it. you knew - here was someone you really wanted to learn from and to work for. she was

a sampling of some really random questions

2009-10-01T21:54:00.002+08:00

a sampling of some really random questions playing about in my mind:1. why do men need skin whitening products?2. how is it that the boss always calls you when you have already left the office, and not on days when you actually stay late?3. what is the real meaning of 'when your time comes'? or is it just a cheap watch ad tagline?4. are bitchy/apathetic/ stupid people ever aware of their own

and then suddenly

2009-09-26T22:05:00.003+08:00

and then suddenly in the midst of a quiet dinner, i felt so lonely.asking myself what did i do in those empty spaces, like i did now? i would either read a book (i had finished quite a few paperbacks in the months before), reply smses, or write in my prayer journal or update my projects notebook. but for sure i would not feel the lack of conversation. or movement.i had gotten used to eating alone

What would you do if you weren't ...

2009-09-20T20:45:00.003+08:00

What would i do if i weren't a lawyer?i was asked that question the other day over dinner. i looked askance at the person who asked me that, and he looked back at me enquiringly.i smiled a little and said 'a travelling poet. i'd travel from place to place and write poems'.the response i got was 'not a job'. :Pon hindsight, that wasn't such a surprising response. my mother told me the same thing

the teaching/facilitating experience

2009-09-12T15:07:00.002+08:00

the teaching/facilitating experience - one i went through on a minor scale just yesterday when i was at Lifeline CG in SFX.to prepare for your lessons by reading the materials, understanding it fully or as best as possible, thinking about the many methods by which to impart the knowledge to your students - in lecture fashion? by using slides? real life examples or case studies? by analogies? to

i got tired

2009-08-24T21:13:00.002+08:00

i got tired of waiting for a miracle.so right now, it's down to making the best of what i've got and living each day to the fullest.who knows what the future will bring?i know i don't, but it's up to me to give all i can to the moments God has seen fit to give me. regardless of that hole i sometimes feel in my heart, that emptiness since so long ago.because in other times and lights, i don't feel

of prayer i cried out and His answer

2009-08-09T22:01:00.002+08:00

of prayer i cried out, prostrating myself on the ground, tears and entreaties to the One above.the pain was too much. i couldn't see my way through.and at night, i cried out too. not for Him to take the pain away, but to help me understand, to help me realise His plan and love for me in spite of all i was facing.to calm my restless and wounded heart, beating, beating erratically.the morning

of World War II and my grandfather

2009-08-04T21:08:00.005+08:00

me, my grandfather and my grandmother (my 2 favouritest old folks in the world)i was watching the History Channel just now, and they were airing a documentary on Pearl Harbour and the Japanese invasion of the USA, which marked the start of World War II.instantly i was reminded of my grandfather- the history buff. the sheer number of books at home on World War II and the Japanese invasion,

it's deja vu all over again

2009-07-20T22:21:00.002+08:00

you know those feelings don't you?they're so f***ing familiar, you've probably had them over a few hundred million times. what the hell does this all mean? bored, lonely and ready for a good time, ready to forget. you've tried reaching for the bottle, lighting up, imagining the smoke blows away the emptiness inside. you've tried, you've tried so often your lips ae numb. but the smoke clears and

thoughts from a quiet corner

2009-07-15T21:31:00.002+08:00

i'm about to leave the comfort of my bedroom soon after blogging this to prepare lunch tomorrow :- tuna tortillas. i got fed up of the limited choice of dishes at the cafeteria and well, i'd like to try cooking again! :)esp after i'd been sick for so long. :Pcan't say i m waiting for a miracle - because although it has the characteristics of one, it's something in my hands. and for what it's

how are you feeling / updates on work / of fashion sense

2009-07-12T09:53:00.002+08:00

to the simple question - how i am feeling now : not that great.i have a headache, my muscles are aching all over and it's not as if i entered a marathon (cue LV's recent shot at the Standard Chartered KL Marathon) and i have a lot more chores etc to do. i couldn't even make it for the talk at St Thomas More or Family Day at SFX.oh, and i have a cavity beneath an old filling which was just

then you shall know the truth

2009-07-07T05:47:00.002+08:00

and the truth shall set you free.(with the caveat of misery and sorrow before you do. but all things in good time).a Chinese proverb springs to mind, but since i m not Chinese Star enabled on this comp, i'll just approximate it -take a step backward, feel peace and openness in your heart, the sea and sky are wide and vast (as i believe the heart becomes)inspired to listen to more Beyond songs

finally (it's been far too long)

2009-07-01T21:49:00.002+08:00

finally and really, it's been far too long,i guess i'm starting to heal, actually heal from the wounds our encounter left me with.to see you again, and talk to you, and really, wish you well, i m so glad. i loved you then, but now i love you in a different way. that much has changed between us. and yet, some things don't change. not that easily anyway.i remember the 'hamtaro' doll i wanted to buy

from sickness to health

2009-06-28T15:18:00.002+08:00

from my last post on Dengue fever, i m happy to announce that my white blood cell and platelet count are back to normal from my last visit to the doctor on Friday. however, it will take me 2 weeks to get back to being at 100% ... and i still need to take things slowly and not overstrain myself. i get tired fast - even sitting here typing tires me. i am most likely taking a nap after

the case of the fallen governor

2009-06-27T18:31:00.001+08:00

taken from catholicexchangePosted: 26 Jun 2009 09:00 PM PDTIn the past 24 hours since Governor Mark Sanford admitted his affair, I’ve run the gamut of emotions: sadness, depression, anger, and most of all, bewilderment.The particular tragedy of Sanford is that he had been an outstanding governor. He’s attractive, engaging, and smart. He is an articulate and tenacious defender of family values.

dengue fever

2009-06-24T20:19:00.008+08:00

hi all!been away for a bit - suffering from dengue fever - thankfully it's not the more dangerous haemorrhagic type, but it was still bad.it all started last Friday when i was capping off what was a pretty lousy week. i had a megaton sized headache and was feeling lightheaded - dizzy, i alternated between feeling hot and cold and lacked any appetite to eat ... caught 40 winks during lunch and

of falling sick and peace of mind

2009-06-16T21:34:00.002+08:00

falling sick yet again - i woke up on sunday morning with an emperor-sized headache and limbs aching all over. alternating between hot and cold, i stumbled out of bed and drank a cup of Milo.i couldn't take anything more. as the day progressed, i got worse and worse. i thought i could make it for Corpus Christi, but nope, i fell right asleep after a porridge lunch and missed evening service.my

theology of the body / life updates / emergence

2009-06-11T23:00:00.003+08:00

hi y'all - due to some build up of work recently, i haven't updated my blog for some time ... here's a run down of what i've been up to lately ...i've been attending a course on the Gift and an Introduction to the Theology of the Body by Christopher West in SFX. a terrific course, and to think i only wanted to stay there for the first session because i was sceptical about the contents of the

on education

2009-05-31T20:35:00.003+08:00

for many of us, our education culminates in a piece of paper, our degree scroll signifying our entry into one of the fields of work - be it engineering, law, medicine, teaching, management, the starting point of our careers.but what does it mean, really?the assurance of success? the compilation of knowledge waiting to meet application in the real world as opposed to the more sheltered world of

so very scared / making peace / praying and walking on

2009-05-30T23:53:00.007+08:00

it's when you're both scared witless and excited and enthused that you are probably on the right track.saying Yes unequivocally and unreservedly to the voice within with its gentle yet persistent tone, doubts aplenty tearing away and yet the fire within burns, and the voice will not rest until you reply. and do whatever it takes.***i finally made peace with something and someone that i hadn't

my power element

2009-05-24T23:21:00.001+08:00

Your Power Element is WaterYour power colors: blue and aquaYour energy: deepYour season: winter Like the ocean, you evoke deep feelings and passion.You have an emotional, sensitive, and spiritual soul.A bit mysterious, you tend to be quiet when you are working out a problem.You need your alone time, so that you can think and dream.What's Your Power Element?

of Jonathan Livingston Seagull and the call within

2009-05-17T14:48:00.003+08:00

i've been reading the tale of Jonathan Livingston Seagull - a fable about the aspirations of a seagull who longed to live a life less ordinary than that of the typical seagull.part of me identifies with the hero of this story with his call to keep on learning how to fly.i hear a relentless voice within which does not leave me alone, but keeps on calling me, even when i am stoned numb by the rut

fatih community / Sekinchan on Wesak Day/ Mother's Day

2009-05-10T10:56:00.002+08:00

i was at our weekly BEC meeting at Andrew and Val's house when the importance of belonging to a faith community struck me.it had always been my perception that faith is a purely individualistic matter wherein one had a relationship with God and that relationship was a private affair.the worship in church appeared to be community based, but to me, often translated into each of us praying in our

carving a path, cutting through the thicket

2009-05-03T23:22:00.002+08:00

i'm carving a path, cutting through the thicket.you have no idea how glad i am that i m not part of that scene anymore, and that my adopted mantra of trying something new once a week (at least) is working for the most part. i can't wait to go hiking this saturday! :)falls, missteps along the way are inevitable, but the point is that this life is mine. and i do what i can to make it better. it's

by hope we are saved

2009-04-25T22:37:00.001+08:00

(also taken from my fb profile)Hope is both the earliest and the most indispensable virtue inherent in the state of being alive. If life is to be sustained hope must remain, even where confidence is wounded, trust impaired.-Erik H. Erikson-hope is what makes life worth living. life without hope progresses from a slackening of the spring in one's step to a slow, tortuous and painful death of the

the little blessings

2009-04-25T22:35:00.001+08:00

(taken from my fb profile for the benefit of those who do not have an fb account)so often we keep our eyes focused on the big and bountiful blessings - winning the lottery, being promoted at work, getting married etc that we forget about the little blessings.among others i count the fact that i have friends who know the best and worst of me and love all of me, the ability to look life in the face

thanking Firebird / coincidence or gift?

2009-04-25T13:11:00.004+08:00

3 years down the line - and i m still wondering who Firebird is.during a rather rough time in my third year of law school - early 2006 - a person who chose to call himself/herself Firebird left kind and encouraging comments on my blog. the sort that lifts your spirits up and takes you out of yourself, even for a little bit.i never got to find out who he/she was. and later, when things had calmed

One step at a time - Jordin Sparks

2009-04-21T23:52:00.002+08:00

Hurry up and waitSo close, but so far awayEverything that you've always dreamed ofClose enough for you to tasteBut you just can't touchYou wanna show the world, but no one knows your name yetWonder when and where and how you're gonna make itYou know you can if you get the chanceIn your face as the door keeps slammingNow you're feeling more and more frustratedAnd you're getting all kind of

What's your Life Mission?

2009-04-19T22:22:00.000+08:00

You Are the LeaderYou are inspiring and uplifting. You bring out the best in people, through both nurturing and challenging them.You always can see the big picture in life. You are very philosophical and deeply spiritual.You understand people, and you can look at their lives objectively. You can help others grow and heal.People feel comforted by your presence. You help them gain perspective on

Dona Catalina and Susan Boyle

2009-04-17T21:06:00.001+08:00

i wonder how many of you remember 'Yo Soy Betty La Fea' before Ugly Betty came out? there was a character named Dona Catalina who was Betty's friend and who encouraged her to come out of her shell - bringing out Betty's physical beauty and giving her the confidence to live life to the fullest.i loved that character to bits and i remember thinking how amazing it was that she didn't get Betty to go

The petrina7 MicroUniverse is now 6 years old!

2009-04-13T22:18:00.002+08:00

yes, this blog is six (6) years old!i can't quite believe it - charting my first few steps in law school to finishing law school to chambering to working as a corporate conveyancing lawyer to moving into service at the AG's Chambers as Federal Counsel.seen quite a bit, felt quite a lot, and written somewhat about all of the above.i think that rather sums up my blog.it's gonna continue for quite a

A place to land

2009-04-11T19:22:00.001+08:00

taken from my fb account - was feeling inspired by the song by Dakota Moon, Looking for a place to land... all of us are looking for a place to land - that security and stability and general feeling of safety ...but with so many uncertainties and sudden changes, can we be blamed for feeling like we're nver going to be able to find solid ground to walk on?but hang on for a moment, wait and feel

Easter weekend / Kissaten / Less than

2009-04-11T18:38:00.005+08:00

Happy Easter to all!Good Friday this year was simply amazing - i was in the choir and attended the tenebrae service afterward as well.somehow the gospel didn't seem to be as long and tiring as it used to be, and the petition prayers made more sense. i suppose it was because i started to understand just how deeply and how far God's love for us sinful and weak humans goes and the words took on a

donating blood/ tax season/ Holy Week

2009-04-04T21:47:00.006+08:00

i donated blood for the first time last Monday and ... i think i may have overcome that awful needle phobia i had that stopped me from giving blood all this while. like the blood donation poster says, it really shouldn't be an excuse!it wasn't that scary, and you'll feel a small prick as the needle goes in and your blood starts going out. and i did it by simply not looking when they put in the

new job/ cooking / memories

2009-03-29T22:03:00.003+08:00

hello all - been a bit since i last did a blog post update style. yes, i am in a new job and have been there since feb 09.it's really very different from my previous position, and suffice to say, so many of the things i thought i'd never touch again since leaving law school ... i'm really getting into the heart and soul of them now. :) needing to relearn and unlearn useless and outmoded methods

Owning your body

2009-03-20T10:45:00.000+08:00

What does it mean to own your body?Yes, to claim ownership over the physical self you have been given by God at the moment of conception.not to be subject to the judgments and condemnations that you yourself or more often, others heap upon you.it's not an easy concept to explain.but i believe that ownership of your body begins when you look at the mirror and realise that love it or loathe it -

life - to be lived with a capital L

2009-03-15T22:03:00.002+08:00

what is life?it's to be lived with a capital L.it's about exploring, experiencing, enjoying.it's about laughing heartily, uproariously even,(because a sense of humour never goes wrong,not even when you're lying on the hospital bed,kept away in the CCU,tubes and needles sticking in your veins,you're cracking a joke about 'strawberry juice'after they've given you 1 pint of blood) it's about crying

of bullying and suicide

2009-03-12T21:43:00.002+08:00

“My feeling was the childrens’ mental health service was so short-staffed they were only too ready to pass him on to adult services, although emotionally, he was much younger.“We were told he did not tick the right boxes.”So said Linda Jones, mother of the late Matthew Jones, a British teenager who committed suicide recently by gas inhalation, after announcing his chosen method of suicide on an

of losing and finding hope

2009-03-04T21:15:00.002+08:00

for a long, long time, life seemed hopeless.devoid of meaning, running on a treadmill, except that you can't keep up, you're fighting just to stay in one place, and you're getting nowhere fast.for a long, long time...and then when you do manage to find hope again, life takes on a new meaning and purpose. the days seem shorter and your mind and heart are opened up again.Frankl was right - it is

love and the soil of the heart

2009-02-15T22:00:00.002+08:00

maybe the girly mags and popular wisdom have got it all wrong. maybe the woman who wrote a book on how to hook a man and get married (!) has got it all wrong.that you don't set yourself up to find love - you go out to singles parties and clubs and wherever else, meet guys, chat them up and date them and make lists of what you want in a man.maybe the answer is getting the soil of the heart ready

my personality at 35,000 feet

2009-02-12T20:21:00.001+08:00

Your Personality at 35,000 Feet Is Thoughtful and ContemplativeDeep down, you prefer spending time alone to spending time with others. You enjoy thinking more than talking.You are good with your place in the world. You are confident and comfortable with who you are.Your gift is having good ears. You are naturally musical, and you pick up foreign languages easily.You are inspired by challenges. If

25 random things about me

2009-02-08T02:05:00.001+08:00

(taken off my fb account. for the benefit of those who don't have fb. :)1. my Confirmation name is Antonia. named in honour of and for St Anthony of Padua - patron saint of those who misplace/lose their things. i've prayed so much for his help and have had my prayers answered so that naming myself after him was the only proper thing to do.2. i have been writing poems since i was 10 and stories

of renouncing and embracing

2009-02-03T21:37:00.004+08:00

it's come down to this - to hold the past to the chest so tightly and revel in its comfort, even the ugly bits that stick out and are sharp and thorny...or to renounce what no longer works. and is no longer true.and to embrace the newness within. there is no other way of dealing with the past other than to make the present good and in so doing, in seeing the beauty of the here and now, to learn

a tribute to Mr Lye, my physics teacher

2009-01-18T22:33:00.003+08:00

this post comes as a tribute to Mr Lye Kuan Yuen, my physics teacher in Form 4 and 5...i still remember the time when he explained the Butterfly effect and the Chaos theory - you may not know it, but this opened a door in my mind to love philosophy and to look at physics in an entirely new and holistic manner.from this seminal moment, i moved to reading 'a history of western philosophy' and post

maturity and creation

2009-01-16T22:44:00.001+08:00

"To exist is to change, to change is to mature,to mature is to go on creating oneself endlessly."Henri Bergson, French philosopher

tak terhingga, tak terbilang

2009-01-12T01:06:00.002+08:00

sudahkah saat-saat genting berlalu?igauan buruk, kubangun, resah, hatiku berkocakseperti ombak dalam lautan bergelora...dalam neraka ini,dikau menunggu hari akhirat,walaupun ku telahpun sampaidi sini, berhadapan denganpenghakiman terakhir.kebencian tak terhingga,kemarahan tak terbilang.

the key(s) to my life

2009-01-06T23:16:00.002+08:00

The Key to Your Life is WisdomAnything good in your life comes from your vision and clarity.You're able to see above all the small things in life and wisely understand the big picture. Anything bad in your life comes from sinking to the level of those around you.Remember to lift people up, and refuse to participate in anything petty.The Keys To Your Life

resolutions - from 2008 to 2009

2009-01-01T18:55:00.002+08:00

to the readers of this quiet and fairly personal blog, Happy New Year.i re-read wishes and hopes for 2008 ...interesting to see how much ground i have (gained) or lost.well, on a good note, i have indeed lost (oh no pun intended) some weight and am hoping to one day reach my target weight. suffice to say that healthier eating choices and more mindful eating as well as a conscious effort to ramp

reframing the pro-life movement

2008-12-30T09:39:00.002+08:00

reflecting on a year that has passed with both terrifying swiftness and a dreadful lingering slowness, i have come to realise the wider arc of the pro-life movement, one which is normally associated with abortions and euthanasia.i believe that our lives should reflect a pro-life stance in that we choose life over death in all things and all circumstances. and not just in matters of whether unborn

Blessed Christmas and Happy 2009!

2008-12-27T13:15:00.002+08:00

Here's wishing all of you a Blessed Christmas and Happy 2009!i have opted to put my phone in cold storage all this while - which accounts for your unreplied messages in order to have a feel of that precious and beautiful solitude which i last enjoyed end april/may 2008.rest assured your greetings are well regarded and accepted with thanks. :)

christmas update/ the mind and heart / dreams

2008-12-22T00:02:00.004+08:00

i am going back home for christmas! yes... :)and in the meantime, have to clear up work and brief my relief(s) on what they need to do etc. argh! but i'll get there somehow.christmas isn't about gifts and good food - even if this year-end promises plenty of delicious lunches/dinners to attend :P- it's about preparing a way for Jesus to enter our hearts, souls and minds. no matter what state we

whirlwind / carolling / of repentance and advent

2008-12-07T13:31:00.004+08:00

the past few days have been a crazy whirlwind - from sending ins to hentian putra on Thursday to her finally catching a bus to KB to see her grandma who was in a coma after waiting for 12 hours for a ticket to her telling me on Friday that she managed to catch her grandma 10 minutes before she died to being involved in a car accident on Saturday night, culminating in me calling a tow truck and

friendship counts for something ... doesn't it?

2008-11-30T21:58:00.006+08:00

No woman ever hates a man for being in love with her, but many a woman hates a man for being a friend to her.-Alexander Pope-such a fitting saying ... to hear 'but i see you as a friend only' means rejection of the offer to be something more than friends. it hurts so much, no less than it did in Pope's day and age.'why can't you love me that way?'i think romantic love can't be forced. compelled.

of the search for Wisdom / Meister Eckhart

2008-11-23T17:24:00.003+08:00

An inspired search and a desire to read the seeking of Wisdom as described so poetically by Solomon in the book of Proverbs ... i find myself reflecting on what is meant by the fear of God and how it is the beginning of wisdom."do you want to please people, or please God?" the question does not come with an easy answer. all i know is that the desire to please God is the starting point of this

the parable of the talents / blaming God and the world / zenith and detachment

2008-11-16T20:28:00.004+08:00

God has entrusted me with myself. ~Epictetusso it goes that God is glorified when man is fully alive.and to be fully alive involves being responsible for thoughts, actions and ultimately who and what the self is.this week's reading - the parable of the talents - always brings to mind the fact that we are all richly blessed in talents to which we owe God a duty to develop and to give Him the

you Christian right? then you must forgive me

2008-10-26T21:22:00.002+08:00

I was about to leave when he looked at me and said-You Christian right? Then you must forgive me. I didn’t say anything then, but I was thinking – Yeah right. As if I can forget all the things you’ve said and done to me and the amount of stress and heartache you’ve caused me. You’ve got to be kidding me. No way. I’ve got to be crazy to even think of letting it go, not when I might open myself up

more words of wisdom

2008-10-03T20:08:00.002+08:00

When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves. ~Victor FranklThings do not change; we change. ~Henry David ThoreauOne isn't necessarily born with courage, but one is born with potential. Without courage, we cannot practice any other virtue with consistency. We can't be kind, true, merciful, generous, or honest. ~ Maya AngelouIf you do not tell the truth

metanoia / the blessed sacarament / faith

2008-09-28T10:44:00.003+08:00

Main Entry: meta·noia Pronunciation: \ˌme-tə-ˈnȯi-ə\Function: nounEtymology: Greek, from metanoiein to change one's mind, repent, from meta- + noein to think, from nous mindDate: 1577: a transformative change of heart ; especially : a spiritual conversioni have always liked the word. the change of heart and mind, and a re-orientation of priorities, values and actions to serve God

'He is the help of the helpless, the strength of the weak'

2008-09-21T18:56:00.002+08:00

this post is dedicated to KS - a friend to whose support i am thankful for.the following is an excerpt from the book 'Mohandas K. Gandhi - an Autobiography : the Story of my experiments with Truth', my long call gift from Eliz and KS:- 'But in all my trials - of a spiritual nature, as a lawyer, in conducting institutions, and in politics - i can say that God saved me. When every hope is gone, '

updates and more ...

2008-08-23T22:51:00.002+08:00

Hello all!it's been roughly one week since i turned 25.updates -i am officially a lawyer now. yes, and i have had ... 6 days of experience as a legal practitioner i.e. 6 days since my Practising Cert was issued. ups, downs and in betweens - i've come to understand more fully the difficulties faced and satisfaction derived from solving all manner of problems (including, and especially my own).i've

thoughts on turning 25

2008-07-27T21:36:00.003+08:00

i turned 25 3 days ago - on 24th July 2008.i'm officially a quarter of a century old....it would be right about now that i should be in the throes of a quarter-life crisis.but as things stand now, i know where i m headed and give or take a few silly mistakes here and there, the rough learning process that i go through so i can grow and mature, and the occasional moment of self-pity and self-doubt

wisdom of einstein and my thoughts

2008-07-22T23:37:00.003+08:00

the italicised words are Einstein's, the ones in usual font are mine...I think and think for months and years. Ninety-nine times, the conclusion is false. The hundredth time I am right.- it always amazes me to make breakthroughs in my thinking. because the mind's range is still as yet unlimited.Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning

of experiments and turning points

2008-07-22T23:27:00.002+08:00

There is a tide in the affairs of men.Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune;Omitted, all the voyage of their lifeIs bound in shallows and in miseries.On such a full sea are we now afloat,And we must take the current when it serves,Or lose our ventures.Julius Caesar Act 4, scene 3, 218–224i repeat these words because i wonder how many of you would believe that the turning points in my

on my way here

2008-07-20T22:40:00.000+08:00

On My Way Here - Clay AikenI took my first stepOn that black and white kitchen floorI sometimes wonder if that houseIs even there, anymoreI had my first glimpse of loveWhen I was fiveI watched two people split apartBut still the three of us survivedI've seen the bestI've seen the worstI wouldn't change what I've been throughI've touched the skyI've hit the wallBut I did what I had

Pengadilan - Mana Sikana

2008-07-13T21:34:00.002+08:00

'Tabuh berbunyi' ...Begitulah babak permulaan kepada drama 'Pengadilan' hasil karya Mana Sikana.Drama ini merupakan salah satu drama kegemaran saya sejak kali pertama saya membacanya pada umur 11 tahun. Saya tertarik kepada unsur jenaka bercampuraduk unsur serius yang lebih dikenali sebagai 'black humour' dalam Bahasa Inggeris.Pada hemat saya, jika saya meletakkan sinopsis drama tersebut di sini,

long Call - part 2 / quo vadis

2008-07-12T23:30:00.004+08:00

Thank you so much to all of you who came and attended my long call on July 10....As with many major occasions in my life, it's been bittersweet.i learn that happiness is never unadulterated. the human being was not designed for too much joy or too much sadness.nothing's perfect. it's not right to expect perfection, and it's even more wrong to demand it.what happens next?it's time for more work.

a follow up to 'of stress and suicide'

2008-06-29T22:44:00.004+08:00

How do I know someone is harbouring suicidal thoughts?There are some warning signs you can look out for in your friends or loved ones: * If they talk or write about hurting or wanting to kill themselves, and this is out of the ordinary for their character * If they start looking for ways to kill themselves, like seeking access to pills and weapons * If they feel hopeless or trapped * If they

work and waiting for my call / govt people who annoy me / on turning 25

2008-06-24T22:59:00.004+08:00

Hi y'all!you are cordially invited to my long call to the Bar at Jalan Duta Court - Mahkamah Rayuan dan Perkara-Perkara Pelbagai 1 on July 10th, Thursday at 9 am. please come and give me and Yin Harn your support. :)if you do come, i heard the nasi lemak at the tea reception is really good, and we can take lots of pictures together. which is one of the fun things to do. finally i will be a LOYAR,

of stress and suicide

2008-06-15T16:14:00.002+08:00

the figures are alarming - stress and suicide.the root causes of suicide are manifold, but stress certainly ranks among the most prevalent factors leading to suicide.indeed, the 2006 National Morbidity Survey showed that 20% of children and 11% of adults had stress-related mental problems and more strikingly, the group aged between 70 and 74 was the group with most stress-related problems (19.5%)

more words of wisdom - my 501st Post!

2008-06-05T16:45:00.002+08:00

Brutus:There is a tide in the affairs of men.Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune;Omitted, all the voyage of their lifeIs bound in shallows and in miseries.On such a full sea are we now afloat,And we must take the current when it serves,Or lose our ventures.Julius Caesar Act 4, scene 3, 218–224'I am always ready to learn although I do not always like being taught.' Winston Churchill(

From good to grotesque - whither local law graduates?

2008-06-01T12:44:00.002+08:00

i only managed to find time to read the online Star paper when i came across Dr Azmi's reply to Gopal Sri Ram's statement inter alia that:"the standard of lawyers, most of whom graduated from local universities, range from the good to the grotesque... Many of them are bad because of the low-quality training they received at local institutions of higher

on faithfulness

2008-05-26T22:49:00.002+08:00

By faithfulness we are collected and wound up into unity within ourselves, whereas we had been scattered abroad in multiplicity.- St Augustine I do not pray for success, I ask for faithfulness.- Mother Teresa

of the calculative/calculator mentality

2008-05-25T22:12:00.002+08:00

I was reading the collection of homilies on the Eucharist distributed by SFX last Saturday and two things struck me -1. when Judas questioned the extravagance of pouring expensive oil on Jesus' feet when it could have been used for the poor; and2. when the apostles questioned Jesus about the impossibility of feeding 4000 people with 5 loaves and 2 fishes.the first underscored a certain