Thursday, March 30, 2006

And the mugging ensues...

the second semester's classes ended with a bang, with our BeiBeiJia posture aid comms presentation. honestly, i had fun this whole term, and enjoyed it much more than the previous.

now that study break begins, its once again time romance the books.. and start planning out how i want to spend my term break meaningfully so that i'll have something to look forward to.

the inviting aroma of term break slowly becomes stronger. *sniff sniff*

Q: Why did the tomato blush?

A: Because it saw the salad dressing.

*scurries away from oncoming fists*

i'm back.

alarm clocks have just gotten naughtier. check out the KUKU alarm clock, that will definitely leave you more annoyed and more cranky than ever. look, i will only have fun with the eggs for so long - any time after that, i might just hug a hammer to sleep.

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

10:48 PM

Wednesday, March 29, 2006

its such a nice feeling when your loved ones saved that best piece of something just for you.

thanks mum, bro, for the largest piece of konnyaku in the tupperware left uneaten for me. =)

the kids at YG made eggheads today.

john the ah pek, chocolate, shock, clara, apple.... were some of the names of the eggheads.

its funny that though i told them they could just decorate the egg any way they wanted, everyone drew faces, even before Yaling whipped out the plastic eyes. could be the beige..

they're so funny. hahahaha.

7:19 PM

Tuesday, March 28, 2006

SEIGNORAGE!!!

what's that you say? i learnt it in macro class this morning.

you know how academia sometimes likes to either euphemise things in the world.. or invent some funny jargons to make it sound really cheem.

Definition: Seignorage is "The amount of real purchasing power that [a] government can extract from the public by printing money." -- Cukierman 1992

the useful thing about learning econs is that you become equipped with skills to read between the lines of the decisions the government makes. seignorage is essentially providing revenues for governments without having to resort to explicit tax hikes, which can cause much protest.

government begins by selling their bonds, which is purchased by the central bank. upon purchase the central bank consequently releases that payment in the form of money into the economy. in layman terms, this is what they call "government printing money".

in my childhood i often pestered my parents to buy Polly Pocket for me, to which they always reply "you think i print money ah?". but i digress.

this flush of excess liquidity into the economy causes inflation to set in. people's real purchasing power decreases, but are taxed according to their nominal income - which is assumed to remain unchanged in the short run. one way of seeing it is that you now have lower wages. the other way of seeing it, is that you're now paying higher taxes. the $X monthly income you earn can now buy you less things because everything is now more expensive. by the same argument, you've now been taxed more because tax rates did not adjust downwards (surprise surprise) to meet your now-lowered purchasing power.

however, we take heart that this is just temporal because humans are still smart enough to adjust economic behaviour by anticipating higher inflation in the future. citizens are influential in the way governments make economic decisions, while governments make decisions based on the behavior of their people. its like an dance that has been ongoing since civilization began.

what has economics taught me? to be more prudent and realize that newspaper headlines need to be read analytically in order for any underlying notions to be uncovered (much brain juice involved, but its not like you have to do it everyday). inflation is more than just $6 macdonald's meals or $2.40 taxi flagdown rates - when they used to cost less. our extent of knowledge helps us make wise decisions with our money, and most importantly, to better read the actions of our nation's leaders and evaluate their decisions as people who will be directly affected by them.

for me, its not so much being able to take advantage of my know-how to earn more money, as it is interesting to know how God has made the world to be. as the ultimate Economist who knows every single motive behind every policy every government makes, education in general has allowed me to gain a better understanding of the way this world operates - a world He upholds with His hands. economics is wonderful because He is.

and for that i love Him. =)

P.S. an interesting read, if you have the time:
A Biblical view of Economics by Kerby Anderson

3:33 PM

Monday, March 27, 2006

Redundant fact of the day

Did you know.. that when you see a bowl of kway teow soup..... (with yong tau foo)

you're actually looking at cut-up chee cheong fan?

my mum can be very creative in the kitchen.

10:39 PM

Sunday, March 26, 2006

Hardly Prepared

imagine with me.. you're in heaven. there's clouds all around you and everything is covered with gold. angels fly around like they have all the time in the world (they do.) and you see God sitting there on this throne in all His glory. He calls out your name and you inch forward and bow down. He then begins to play the scenes of your life, probably on some big plasma tv; times you've lied, entertained dirty thoughts, used His name in vain, put the material things of this world over Him, spoke ill of someone else, gotten drunk, gossiped.......

and He asks you to evaluate the life you have led.

what will you say? will you be proud of it? and if the picture was real enough to you.. will it motivate you to do something about it before its too late. (i.e. when you meet Him there)

being born into a comfortable home and living in a peaceful country has caused me to lose my will to be vigilant. i have let my guard down, recklessly wasting time on things of no eternal benefit. mundane thoughts fill my mind everyday as if they're all i'm living for. when's the next assignment deadline, when can i buy that bag i've been eyeing, when can i have the time for that haircut, what am i going to eat tonight, where i should go for overseas exchange, how shall i get that A+.....

but yet i know if i see Him tomorrow, all these things will no longer matter. i know.. that i will not be ready. i will clamour to His feet asking for a second chance to live my life again but i know that i was given more chances than i needed and chose to ignore them.

sometimes humans can be really dumb. but God has been more than patient. knowing we can't possibly save ourselves, He purchased for us the wages of sin - death. how thankful i am for having a God who doesn't just sit up there, throwing wealth down at us when we ask for it. that god keeps many people happy, but doesn't know what's best for them.

its too easy to say "i'll just live each day to the fullest" or "i'll try to be a good person". can we honestly do that? for countless times we have reverted to our old ways 3 seconds after we make a resolution to kick it. no one will be able to do it without some divine intervention.

our decision to accept God's remedy today can change the way we look at Him when we're there at His throne - tiny, exposed and without excuse. i work towards the day when i will hear Him say, "well done my good and faithful servant. now enter My Kingdom and share in My inheritance for eternity."

believe me when i say the alternative is not the softer option.

are you ready to face Him today, and everyday? stop playing hide-and-seek with God. you'll never win.

9:04 PM

Saturday, March 25, 2006

Baby Oscar !

its the first time i'm seeing my new nephew, Oscar! (or ao-si-ka as i like to call him.) sadly the little guy puked milk all over me when i was carrying him.

something more interesting than my camera lense caught his eye. *jealous*

ahhh finally looking at me.

Oscar and his da jie Jaleesa. STILL looking at that something other than my camera lense.

highly adorable. so chubby and curious.. what a round head too, like a hum-jim-bang.

its been a while since i visited granny at my aunt's place in serangoon gardens. my old piano's there cause i sold it to my cousin, and i spent half the day on their new Ogawa massage chair. tap tap tap.. knead knead knead.. pound pound pound.. *ticklish*

i shall study hard, go to work, and buy one for my mum. =)

i know its random. but.. lydea, tree, qin.. missing you guys lots.

6:52 PM

Friday, March 24, 2006

New Layout!

yes you didn't come to the wrong place. its jean.

today is the day i liberate my cluttered virtual sanctuary from frames and flowery backgrounds. i present you.. Just Muse!

*little pig peeks at title curiously*
*kirin (giraffe) and usagi (rabbit) peek from behind banner sheepishly*

some things haven't changed. the tagboard's still there, the normal links have been brought over.. and trust me the blogger hasn't changed one bit.

i like it leh! spent the whole day doing it. which means i better get back to work tmr. anyway the revamping process was therapeutic, and i am now recharged to face my academic challenges ahead!

anyway a shoutout to today's birthday girl: GERI! happy two-old girl! you have the same bday as SMU Lee Kong Chian School of Business. SM Goh attended YOUR bday party!

could you look glamorous for once?

and at least one part of you is blur in 90% of the photos you've taken. haha.

Also, i happened to dig up this precious shot. sorry for the poor quality, its a photo of a photo.

an old family photo of my great grandpa, my grandparents, aunts, uncles and mum. see her? she's the youngest kid, standing in the first row.

and the towkay in the middle of the picture is my great grandfather. whooo. sitting on both sides are my grandparents. man in graduation robe is my granduncle. they are flanked by the seven von trapp children. *sings* "brown paper packages tied up with strings, these are a few of my favourite things!"

11:51 PM

Tuesday, March 21, 2006

:: Childhood ain't so far away ::

recently i've been having a reignited craving for this:

the coveted RingPop. used to love the orange and purple ones.

does anyoneknow of any mama shops that still sell this? please please please please pleeeeaaaase tell me.

i remember i used to put it on my finger and do this:

in hopes that i will summon the blue flying man with green hair, a crest of a globe across his well-defined chest.

even if i won't have my ringpop, all hope's not lost.

i'll still have

(pardon the pixels, i could only find avatar-sized images)

Yesssss. Arnott's (or parrot brand as Geri puts it) Tartlet's. too bad the lemon flavor is no longer available, but at least its still around. actually i appreciate that where the biscuits industry is concerned, newer and more marketable brands have not taken over traditional household brands like khong guan or arnott's. (i love khong guan's lemon puffs too. but who doesn't.)

sigh. the perils of competition in the retail market. do we consumers seemingly gain from all these, but in fact lost much and never stopped to notice? i wouldn't want the day where i won't be able to taste my arnott's tartlets anymore.

but we take heart that living in free market economy, the decision still lies in our hands. these household names remain around only because they're good and that people still buy them. can u imagine if you were in north korea, and kim jung il hates arnott's tartlets? you won't even see a crumb.

The power is yours. =)

3:28 PM

Sunday, March 19, 2006

is it me or is the u-zap commercial hiiiighly annoying.

11:51 PM

Saturday, March 18, 2006

a pantyliner lies on the floor of a group study room in SESS. the message written on it read:

Whose pantyliner is this? What is it doing here?

Childish.

7:52 PM

Friday, March 17, 2006

:: I believe, therefore I am ::

sometimes even non-believers would like to think that somewhere out in the universe a God exists. but we seem to only want that God around when we're taking an examination, when there's a funeral, or when we think we're gonna die. to some God is a God of their own imaginings (after conveniently discarding all notions of God revealed to us in the bible). they call on His name loosely - "oh my God", "thank God", "God you're so lazy" etc. but if God to you is tailored to your liking, can we logically conclude that you might as well be talking about a three-horned cosmic cow.

who is God to you? someone who embraces all your opinions? someone convenient to provide comfort when you need it? someone who changes with the times and accepts homosexuality or premarital sex just because every other person in the world thinks its alright? someone who is broadminded and offers more than one way to the truth?

but when Jesus hung on that cross He never compromised on all these things. that is why i hold on fast to the one single standard God has set for everyone in this world, and i make a choice to stick by it no matter how morals and modern thinking around me degenerate into self-destruction. and that is why even as people pressure me and ask why i am so stubborn about wanting to share about my God, i tell that them many people know God, but few listen to Him. because if they did, i wouldn't have to pray so hard every night.

one day in Philippi Jesus asked His disciples, "Who do you say I am?". how would you answer this question today, and would you settle with the answer you have given yourself?

it pains me to see people who know Christ but do not live as though He's the Lord of their lives. what more pain do i feel for those who constantly turn away from Him, thinking they have better things to chase after, or do not wish to be affiliated with this God just because they "do not have the time" or "are not ready". if He should decide to take you away from this earth right now, would you honstly tell Him that "you're not ready"? and if you have known Him all along would you be able to throw aside everything you've worked for and fly to Him with joy because you believe that you've led a faithful life?

if i were to say what is the most successful way satan has deceived the people in modern society it is to have kept them so busy and distracted that everyone believes all they possess in their lives is limited to this world alone.

if i come to you in future asking you why have you not given this issue a thought, do not patronise me by saying "i'm not ready". we both know it is not good enough a reason. it is better for me to warn you now than to leave you clueless as to what kind of questions God will confront you with when you meet Him one-to-one.

"Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." - Jesus

1:19 PM

Sunday, March 12, 2006

:: Church bulletin blunders ::

a whole new way of looking at how "all have fallen short of the glory of God."

On a church bulletin during the minister's illness: GOD IS GOOD.
Dr. Hargreaves is better.

The eighth graders will be presenting Shakespeare's Hamlet in the church basement on Friday at 7 pm. The congregation is invited to this tragedy.

Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our church and community.

Due to the rector's illness, Wednesday's healing service will be discontinued until further notice.

The Pastor will preach his farewell message, after which the choir will sing, "Break Forth Into Joy".

The Low Self-Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7 until 8:30 pm. Please use the back door.

The Ladies Bible Study will be held Thursday morning at 10. All ladies are invited to lunch in the Fellowship Hall after the B.S. is done.

The sermon this morning: "Jesus Walks on the Water." The sermon tonight: "Searching for Jesus."

Don't let worry kill you off--let the Church help.

Eight new choir robes are currently needed due to the addition of several new members and to the deterioration of some older ones.

For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery downstairs.

Our next song is "Angels We Have Heard Get High."

The Associate Minister unveiled the church's new tithing campaign slogan last Sunday: "I Upped My Pledge — Up Yours."

The church is glad to have with us today as our guest minister the Rev. Shirley Green, who has Mrs. Green with him. After the service we request that all remain in the sanctuary for the Hanging of the Greens.

This afternoon there will be a meeting in the South and North ends of the church. Children will be baptized at both ends.

This being Easter Sunday, we will ask Mrs. Lewis to come forward and lay an egg on the altar.

2:26 PM

Thursday, March 09, 2006

:: Highly bimbotic ::

So, like, i was queueing for Subway in school. then the woman like, asked me, like, if i want my sandwich toasted. so i was like "no", and she chuckled and like, said, "you're the first one who doesn't want it toasted". so never mind. i turned to jayne and told her "i don't like it toasted cos it becomes very hard", and she was like "i like it cos its crunchy."

so the sandwich went down their "production line" and the guy just popped my sandwich into the oven, like, without even asking me. so i was, like, okay and all.. and then, like, it was time to pay for my sandwich. and the cashier asked me what drink i wanted. but i told her, like, i don't want any drinks, i just want the sandwich. and she was like "the meal is free" and i was like "no i don't want the set meal" and she was like "no the meal is FREE. because your bread is toasted." and i was like "oh." and got, like, vanilla coke and two oatmeal raisins.

jayne said my expression was like, super funny. but its like, the deal doesn't even make economic sense no? they toast your bread for you, then like, they give you the meal for free? isn't that, like, super awesome?? i know right! i didn't even see the sign or anything.. subway like, rocks! eat fresh!

anyway, just, like, wanna show ya some stuff.

isn't it like, Ugly with a capital U? it, like, doesn't reflect our school culture at all. so much for open house publicity. i could do retro, like, waaaaay better than them. what's with the pink outlines honey? and dahling, pink and orange so do not go. gotta add a little yellow or somethin'.

i need my beauty sleep, like, pronto. *puts cucumber slices over eyes*

11:02 PM

Tuesday, March 07, 2006

:: Spooter ::

sitting in the 5th floor of Li Ka Shing library in school now. good to have natural light streaming in from some of the countless pieces of glass that makes up the school. am supposed to produce a 1500-word reflective essay on my LTB module, but considering i'm blogging, its apparent i haven't a single clue how to start.

sometimes i do feel that reflections have to be spontaneous. how do you expect me to spoot out a reflection.. i feel so pressured. that's why we always underperform for essay papers during GP or english examinations. as for chinese, my standard wasn't even good enough to afford writing a storyline that hasn't appeared at least a million times before. i spend half the time flipping my ci dian.

sadly, after two or three years of blogging, my reflective skills haven't shown any improvement. haha.

spent the past two days distributing the davinci code magazine on campus.. quite xim tia to see them lying around in toilets, in dustbins and around school.. but its inevitable. for the others who read it, surely the Lord will work mightily out of this seemingly insignicant gesture. we just distribute, the battle is the Lord's.

3:05 PM

Saturday, March 04, 2006

:: Ee-shee! ::

ee-shee! my name is dragoon, and today i am blogging for jean jie jie cos i bugged her day and night to let me try blogging! first let me tell you what jean jie jie bought yesterday!

jean jie jie bought a pink nokia 6111! it has something called bluetooth.. i don't know what it is but she looks so excited that her phone has bluetooth. its pink and silver, i don't see anything blue on it..... anyway it also has a very nice camera, so the first photo she took was a photo of me!

hahaha.

today jean jie jie had an exciting day. in the morning she and her LTB group were conducting a session for the children at YG. they had alot of fun and learned about "generosity"!

this is clement korkor and jayne jie jie conducting the session! the kids were playing puzzle.

this is one of the puzzles. generosity means giving gifts! (presents, time, talents..)

then after that jean jie jie went to staple flyers into many many davinci code magazines!

she says she never staple so many paper in her life.

their whole group of about 6 people stapled 3000+ magazines! hooray jie jie!

now its late but liang korkor is not even home yet. she needs to go downstairs to fetch him. bye bye!!

11:36 PM

Thursday, March 02, 2006

:: Blessings ::

May the Lord bless you with..

Adaptability in a new environment
Bravery to try new things
Comfort when you're homesick
Domestic competency when you cook your own meals
Endurance in times of fatigue
Fixation on His purposes for you
Good health when the weather turns bad
His everlasting presence wherever you are
Inquisitive minds as you embark on your studies
Journey's mercies wherever you commute
Knowledge on where all the bargains can be found
Love for Him and for all you do
Money management skills as you plan your expenses
New friends whom you can rely on
Objectivity when making judgements
Patience when you have to wait
Quality time with loved ones
Refuge in His hands
Success in all you want to achieve
Time for everything you want to do
Understanding as you learn new things
Vigour when you're weary
Wisdom to communicate to others
Xperiences you'll never forget
Yearn to seek His voice
Zeal for the new life ahead of you

blessings.
to Lydea, Qin, Tree, Rachel and Hau Yiang..

from singapore, with love. =)

11:31 AM