An amp, pretty please?

The dreaded Biochem lab report is due tomorrow at 2pm. I'm about 90% done (apart from the conclusion bit), and have no inspiration at all to finish it now. Oh well.

***

Now that it has been the THIRD and hopefully last time Waszowski's earphone jack has been damaged, it's time to seriously think about buying a proper keyboard amp. Hopefully I'll find out which brand and what range is perfect for now and future purposes. Buying a new thing is always interesting: the hunt and research for "the one", then using or playing with it for the first time. The not so fun part is paying for it initially. The rockshop has a few keyboard amps, and the cheapest one is $599, most expensive one is $1499. *jaw drops*

That's like, half of what I paid for Waszowski ($2994). Eeks. Hopefully I can find one that's reasonably priced and good enough for what I need.

*fingers crossed*

Beware the salivaman

Another proof which shows just how the modern society has screwed up the minds of some people (from NZ Herald):

'Deviant saliva fetish' led to attack, court told

12:45PM Monday July 30, 2007

A man's "deviant sexual arousal" to saliva from young girls was behind a premeditated attack on an 11-year-old, Christchurch District Court was told today.

Jared Paul Simmonds, 28, a Blenheim vineyard worker, was jailed today for two years and eight months after earlier pleading guilty to doing an indecent act with the girl in the grounds of a Christchurch school last February 6.

He had denied a more serious charge of detaining the girl for sex, and after submissions from his lawyer Stephen Hembrow and the Crown, Judge Murray Abbott discharged him on that count under Section 347 of the Crimes Act.

Simmonds was convicted in 2005 for obtaining spittle from young girls that he planned to use for masturbation -- circumstances similar to the offending in February, the court was told today.

Referring to psychiatric reports, Judge Abbott told Simmonds it was of "serious concern" that he targeted pre-pubescent girls because he was unable to relate to females of his own age.

Simmonds' "deviant sexual arousal to saliva could be regarded as a fetish," he said.

It was "of real concern" that Simmonds found it easier to relate to children rather than adults.

Judge Abbott said Simmonds had four convictions where he had asked for or obtained spittle from young girls.

The court was told that on Last Waitangi Day this year, Simmonds stopped off in Christchurch on his way back to Blenheim from Invercargill. He'd intended to find a young girl he could get spittle from which he would use to masturbate.

Judge Abbott noted Simmonds' significant premeditation in carrying chewing gum and plastic cups to support his story that he was conducting a survey.

Simmonds had promised the 11-year-old money to co-operate with the "survey" and told her the saliva would be analysed at Christchurch Polytechnic.

He'd met her as she was taking a short-cut through the school grounds. But events turned sinister when he asked the girl if he could be her boyfriend.

When she answered in the negative, Simmonds had foot-tripped her, lay on top of her, kissing her around her neck and cheeks, then held his hand over her mouth while he simulated sex with the girl.

The school principal, who told a depositions hearing she had observed the "unlikely pairing" when she noticed them in the playground, yelled out when she saw Simmonds on top of the girl. She managed to break free and run home.

When police interviewed Simmonds in Blenheim four days later, they found in his bedroom a newspaper clipping reporting the incident.

Judge Abbott said he believed Simmonds became a police suspect because of his similar earlier offending.

He told Simmonds he had a number of "bizarre thinking processes" that would have to be addressed before he could live safely in the community.

Simmonds' frank admissions to police, a probation officer and a psychologist gave "some hope" he may end his offending.

Judge Abbott told Simmonds that he wouldn't impose a minimum non-parole period. But he warned he was "on notice" for any further offending.

- NZPA

Dreadful dreams

Dreams are so annoying, aren't they?

One moment they're all warm and fuzzy and you wish you'll never wake up, then next thing your prince charming turns into an ugly frog or a bacteria.

I've been having a few very weird and disturbing dreams lately. Not sure what's causing it, but I blame it on the weather. Doonedinites would know what I'm talking about. Anyway, the weirdest dream I had this morning had something to do about me having a tiny baby (about 20 in length, yikes I know), not sure if it's mine or somebody elses. ERM and somehow the baby is always blue in colour, and I keep performing CPR on him/her as I think that he/she is dying. And many other freaky details that I won't blog here. If interested, ask me and I'll tell you more until you say "Ewwww!!!"

Darn those dreams. As if it's trying to say I'm a baby killer or that I'm going to be a horrible mother someday.

***

Back to the Dunedin weather issue: It rained today after a few days of perfect sunny days. I thought it was safe to dry my laundry outside, but turns out that I'll have to blow dry my lab coat if it still doesn't dry before Genetics lab tomorrow.

Ah, Genetics lab. It should be interesting to see if anything interesting happens tomorrow.

Me the clumsy pot

SIGH.

I managed to trip on the cable connected to Waszowski AGAIN for the 2nd time!

SIGHHHHHHHH.

I need a cheergroup to cheer me up. I don't think this can be cured by retail therapy. Stupid, careless me. Sorry for letting you down again, Wasz.

SIGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.

Bugs in my life

Lenik, you're right. Something is always wrong when it comes to internet issues.

The weather widget on my blog just wouldn't show up on my computer, it's visible when I use the uni computer. That happened to many other sites too, sitemeter for example which is a real nuisance as I can't check my blog logs from there until I figure out what went wrong.

Another thing that really bugs me is that the people I want to chat to didn't appear online at msn at all this whole week! Grrr. Where are you guys?

A non-internet issue: Biochem lab was completely crazy this week. We got the results, but didn't know what they meant then. Lab report is due next Wednesday, and the report should contain 3 experiments in total, the worst thing is that it's about utterly boring photosynthesis which is not yet taught at lectures yet.

Hmm, seems like I cannot stop complaining. Oh well, might as well get them all out of my system now. I seem to be particularly annoyed by someone AGAIN this week. Poor him/her, must think that he/she has done no wrong to bug me off. I know this is kind of mean, but he/she is just like an itch that I want to scratch off, but it's impossible. Sigh, I just wish circumstances were different.

For the first time

One of the few songs I just can't get enough of these few days: For the First Time by Lifehouse.

Unknown by many people, Lifehouse is actually a Christian rock band that has gone mainstream. They've come a long way, and come out with one of those ageless hits like "You and Me" and "Hanging by a moment". Classics.

For the First Time is probably one of the songs that will be played in weddings for its very expressive lyrics. Not too corny, and the music video is quite cool too. And also, the lead singer is C-U-T-E! :P


Hopefully this song won't get overplayed on the radio (at least not soon).

Curse of the genetics lab

Every time I go to Genetics 211 lab, something UNFORTUNATE happens.

Last week, I almost set the lab on fire.

Today, I (sort of) caused my lab partner and I to screw up the whole second part of the experiment. Sort of translated to the lab demonstrator noticed that we were doing wrong and got us to repeat the experiment again, which I have to mention is very very tedious. I think the two girls sitting opposite me also did the experiment wrongly. Though I didn't tell them how to do (which is the wrong way), I still feel somewhat responsible. *shrugs*

***

Daniel Fast is coming up soon. The idea is to basically spend 21 days without something you find hard living without, and use the time to pray. I've been thinking about what to fast on, and I've decided to either (1) give up at least half an hour of my beauty sleep in the morning and spend it with God instead, (2) refrain from watching any movies and dramas, or (3) do both.

If all goes well and I'm determined enough to follow through, this will be my first official fast. =)

Bit and pieces

Dad is suddenly so pro about me learning the guitar. So much so that he's even asking me to buy one for myself, even when I said I can use my friend's guitar. They seemed pretty okay about me wanting an amplifier for Waszowski. =) Now all I have to do is to research on good amps.

***

Today a friend commented about the fact that because I wear a ring on the wedding finger on my right hand, it has to be either I'm engaged, or I'm taken. While the ring my mum gave me does look a bit like an engagement ring since it's made of white gold with a (possibly fake) diamond, many people assume that it is one. Then came the next comment, "Guys won't ask you out when they see a ring there, as they assume you're taken." And just after he says that, he pulls out his own engagement ring from his pocket, saying "Erm, I guess I should be wearing this then." *snicker*

Truth to be told, the only reason to why I wear it on that finger is because I have large fingers, and the ring wouldn't fit into my other fingers.

***

Dear Jason in Toowoomba, I thought you were doing quite well settling in there. Then my mum told me your brother said that you have been starving for the past 3 days. *jaw drops* Is the supermarket very far away? Or are you too afraid to buy anything after converting to ringgits? Hope that you get well soon. =)

***

I will be known as the bargain hunter from now on. I search high and low for under 5 dollar bargains for clothes on TradeMe, spending up to 2 hours a day browsing items. Have I gone mad? Or have I grown an addiction towards TradeMe?

Chicken soup for the soul

We use music to relate to each other. Certain songs bring a smile to our faces, others make us remember things we try to forget. And for that very reason, the latter category of songs are no longer in my "favourites" playlist.

These are some of the songs that I avoid listening to at all costs, not because they sound bad, but because they're too beautiful in reminding me of who I was and about my past. So here they are, the songs that I once held dear to (in no particular order):

Missy Higgins - The Special Two (watch youtube)
Why? I was in the music room at Studholme playing and singing this song to myself, when I got a text, "You have the most beautiful voice that I've ever heard..." I shouldn't believe it, blame me for being naive then, but I did. I can almost hear you saying "it's our song" every time I listen to this song.

Damien Rice - The Blower's Daughter (watch youtube)
Why? "And so it is, just like you said it would be..." Those haunting first lines hit me at the same spot each and every time. I knew I would end up getting hurt, but curious and foolish beings we are, I couldn't help but to fall into that trap. I got out, but scraped myself and left a permanent scar on my heart. "I can't take my mind off you, til I find somebody new".

Dan Hill - Sometimes when we touch (again, watch youtube)
Why? You left a voice message on my cellphone, and sang this song. Need I say more?

***

Good thing is, compared to the 5 or less songs that remind me of you, I choose to have 3000 more songs that remind me of how I'm blessed everyday, and that includes having had an experience that one can only learn first-hand.

Blogging about you doesn't mean that I'm not over you or that I still hate you for doing what you did to me; it's a way of excreting the wastes, so that I can eat more yummy food. =)

Some people would just ask me to confront you and make you erm PAY, but meh, why should I waste energy doing what is worthless when God will deal with you and your actions eventually? As the saying goes: What goes around comes around.

Negarakuku

Seems like this video has become quite popular.

I have to admit, I admire this guy for having the guts to post that video. He must have no fear of ISA capturing him or something since he's not even in Malaysia to begin with. I laughed from the first second of the video to the last; heck, even the title is dodgy/funny. :P

I'm a bookworm

The Annual Regent 24 hour Book Sale is on again!

Hundreds of thousands of books, magazines, music sheets, etc literature for sale at incredibly cheap price, no wonder more than half of Dunedin's population race to the sale every year.

I'll be going in about an hour's time or earlier. =)

What appeals to me is that various musicians/bands perform live on stage whilst the book sale is happening, creating a laid back/cafe-like atmosphere. Paul, from church, is performing tonight.

Really excited to see the newly renovated Regent Theatre- it has been closed to the public for a few months now, can finally see how it looks like soon.

***

Laughed til my sides hurt when I read the Xiaxue's blog on the top disgusting bloggers. :P

Celebrating a twenty-first

It was JM7 (2006)'s birthday on Tuesday.

JM7 thought we were all too busy to celebrate her birthday that day. But in fact we were all busy preparing her gift(s): a Sony Ericsson w800i and a photo canvas thingy. =)

Her first birthday cake (yeap, 1 wasn't enough!)

Then we went to The Reef to wait for the birthday girl to arrive. Not sure if she was shocked when she saw us there, since we plan birthday surprises to everyone in the flat anyways. :P

I ordered Grilled Fish of the Day.

Food was good, price was not. Chyi Mei was so absent minded that she brought her calling card instead of eftpos card to pay for dinner. Mempersiasoikan. Tsk tsk tsk. Also, we had to sing happy birthday twice that night, and actually I think the waitress was being very very patient and friendly as we were NOISY and CHOOSY.

Another birthday celebration over, which only reminds me of how fast this year is passing me by. And right at this moment, I'm suddenly craving for my beloved Char Bee Hoon at Jalan Sekama, Kuching. Can I just go home for a weekend without having to sit through 11 hours on the airplane?

Waszowski: see, aren't I photogenic?

Playing with fire

Embarrassing moment number 1000000: I almost set the genetics lab on fire.

Almost. As in if the fire wasn't discovered in 5 minutes, the whole 9 stories of microbiology building would go down in ashes. And it's all because I forgot to make sure that a matchstick is not still lit before putting it in the plastic trash bin.

Then a few minutes later while I was happily continuing with my experiment, a girl sitting opposite me alerted the lecturer about the smoke coming out from the bin. How could I have missed that smell and smoke just in front of my eyes?!

I was seriously either blind or blurry or just plain bored during the lab. But still, I'm surprised I can be THIS careless: putting other people's lives at risk, not forgetting to mention the whole building in big risk of going up in flames.

Thank God that the glass bottle containing ethanol wasn't anywhere near the trash bucket or the Bunsen burner itself, or else the outcome would be catastrophic.

If that's the case, then you would see the headlines for Otago Daily Times the next day as: Stupid Malaysian Student Burnt Down University Building. XD

July most miserable month for Kiwis

11:44AM Monday July 16, 2007

If you're feeling down in the dumps at the moment you're not alone.

Kiwis are more miserable in winter and July is the worst month for suffering the winter blues, a nationwide study has found.

According to the latest independent research commissioned by Neutrogena, July is the month in which 20 per cent of Kiwis are struck by the winter blues, followed by August on 13 per cent.

The researchers also found that Monday-itis affects the nation, with 41 per cent of Kiwis saying that the first day of the working week is also the day they are most likely to feel blue.

"If you leave and return home from work in the dark, don't get enough light while working, have high stress, rarely socialise and eat stodgy food, the blues are likely to creep up on you," says mental health therapist Leanne French.

Creature comforts reign supreme during the cold season, so it comes as no surprise that 30 per cent of Kiwi women say their favourite way to alleviate the winter blues is to spend time with friends, followed by 29 per cent who prefer a night in on the couch with a hot chocolate and their favourite movie.

A further 20 per cent relieve the winter blues with a warm bath, facial or massage.

The shortening of daylight hours and lack of sunlight in winter triggers symptoms such as sleep problems, lethargy, overeating and mood swings, says French.

The study - conducted by Consumer Link - also looked at women's skincare habits during the winter months and found that women who were feeling depressed were less likely to follow their usual beauty regimes.

The majority of Kiwi women interviewed in the survey confirmed that during winter they break two of skincare's cardinal rules - not using a sunscreen and failing to remove their makeup before bed.Seventy-two per cent of women surveyed said they used sunscreen less than once a week or never between June and August and nearly a third said they never removed their makeup before bed. Only one in every four women surveyed said they applied sunscreen on a daily basis during the winter months.

Dr Kevin McKerrow, President of the New Zealand Dermatological Society says those results are worrying: "People just seem to forget that during winter the sun doesn't go away and neither does skin cancer."

- NZ HERALD STAFF

***

They should add another reason to why July is miserable: second semester of uni has just started, and it's worse when you have a sucky lab partner who doesn't talk much stuck to you for the next 4 months.

Clueless

I still remember when mum and dad tried to coax me (indirectly) into considering xxx from church back home. How "nice" of them. Seems like history is repeating itself again.

Dad: So what did you have for dinner?
Me: bla bla bla... and lamb chop.
Dad: What? XXX?
Me: Huh? What are you trying to say?
Dad: XXX sounds like lamb chop ma... *snicker/hinting*
Me: (三条线...)

It's pretty obvious to who dad's referring to if you go to SFEC. I seriously have no idea why they like him so much.

I had a dream

Have you ever had a wonderful dream where everything is exactly what you wish for, too good to be true that you even pinched yourself in that dream? I had the dream that would make me the happiest person in the world if only it happened in real life. *sigh* But the odd thing was, be it a coincidence or not, something DID happen in reality 1 or 2 days after that dream. It wasn't as beautiful as the dream itself, but it was still a BIG deal to me.

I feel silly for feeling THIS happy about a tiny deal.

***

Anyway, did you know that if you sleep for an average of seven hours a day and live 75 years, 22 YEARS OF YOUR LIFE ARE SPENT DREAMING.

From the web:

If you are among the few people who cannot ever remember their dreams, you are missing one of the great wonders of human experience. To dream is to discover a virtual reality so authentic, that the people we meet, the sensations we experience, the dramas we are involved in, strike to our heart as deeply as the events we meet while awake. In fact sometimes the memory of dreams may stay with us for years, more potently than many everyday memories. The realm of sleep and dreams offers us a world so vastly different from waking, that our life may be enriched by happenings and realisations totally impossible otherwise. It has been said that travel broadens the mind. Dreams expand it far more. Without them, and without the act of imagination and fantasy that arises from such powers of the mind as dreams emerge from, we would indeed be impoverished. Without the process of mind that lies behind the inventive fancy of dreams, art, music, drama, literature and architecture would have remained starkly utilitarian. Imagination, in dreams or otherwise, is a divine power which lifts us out of today and transports us to yesterday, or to the future. Consider what it would be like if you could never remember details of the past, or think about what you would like to do in the future. Consider also what it would be like if you could never reshape in your remind or feelings, an event or words you have heard. There would be no comedy, no stories, no art, no drive to build something that is different.

Imagination changes the shape of the world, penetrates its external solidity to transform its shape and its events into innumerable fresh experiences. Imagination sees the wonderful possibilities in a piece of rock, or some coloured earth, and with them creates art. Imagination discovered the submarine and the motor car long before scientific endeavour developed the technology to manufacture them. Even people who appear to lack this divine power while awake, can in dreams spread wings of fancy and find ingenious dramatic creation while they sleep.

If you are someone who not only remembers, but soaks up the lush dimensions of dreams, then you already know that your visions of the night allow you entrance into strange worlds, new ideas, fresh and sparkling perspectives, as well as horror movies of your own creation.

***

Now if anyone could just teach me how to have a lucid dream. =)

Being happy

Laughter, thanks for the visit these few days, and I really hope that you're here to stay. =)

So as not to ruin the moment, I'll post up some pictures instead.

An instrument I'll never regret learning.

An instrument I wish I can play fluently someday.

Taking the stand.

Escape 07 #1.

Escape 07 #2.

If you like looking at how pictures can tell stories, visit this blog.

NOT addicted

57%How Addicted to Blogging Are You?

Guess I'm not that addicted to blogging as I thought I would be! *sigh of relief*

But still, I'm addicted to changing layouts often. Very often.

I haven't laughed so hard like I did last night since CK's plastic skirt fell off when he was doing the ballerina dance during NS, which was ages ago.

Speaking of which, where are all you NS people?!

it is well with my soul

There's no better way of celebrating/mourning the end of the mid semester break-- watch Transformers! Well, there are some cheesy parts, eg. how the geek always gets the girl in movies, the right song at the right time, how the Bumblebee's eyelids flutter when he's injured etc. As for me, those parts are outweighed by the great graphics, somewhat original funny scenes, and a childhood dream fulfilled. =)

***

A short video clip was shown during church yesterday morning. "In 1873, Horatio Spafford wrote the words to the hymn "It is Well with My Soul" after the tragic death of his four daughters. A very moving sermon illustration". Watch it, and reflect on it.

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.


It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.


Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.


It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.


My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!


It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.


And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.


It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

A bubbly tale

Semester 1 results are officially out. Not the best I can achieve, but I'm happy that I scored pretty good for a paper that is considered to be really tough for many people. Hmm maybe I should switch majors to microbiology instead? Would be interesting to stare down at dozens of microscopes every single day looking at little (sometimes) moving organisms, trying to understand their roles and how they eat, sleep (if they do), secrete wastes, etc etc.

Then when I've finally figured out how microorganism X blows bubbles, I can write a textbook called "Bubbles in our world". I'd make it a compulsory textbook for students enrolled for Health Science first year in 2020, and 1 textbook alone would cost 33 bubble gums. On page 333 of some textbooks would contain special peppermint flavoured tickets to see a special show.

The special show would explain the greatest mystery to human kind EVER. That is, the answer to why Homo sapiens blow bubbles when those transparent, oh-s0-poppable spheres dissolve into the air 5 seconds after they are made. It makes no sense, really, to waste money and time doing that act. However, after thoughtful consideration and 5 years of research, a mad scientist have finally solved the riddle.

No, it is not as simple as mc [square], mind you, it is much much more complicated, so complicated that the scientist had a "mad" added onto his title after he discovered the answer. The lucky audience waited 3.3 hours for the mad scientist to appear on stage, and the chatter stopped once he stepped in front of the podium.

No reporters were allowed, you see. Security measures were so tight that everyone was given a super chewy bubble gum before they enter, this is so that the sticky gum would attract the little organisms living in the oral cavities of people who were lucky enough to witness this once-in-a-lifetime convention.

Everyone sucked in their breath as they take in the mad scientist's words: "... and now, the moment all of you have been waiting for: Behold, a normal bubble is NOT normal at all. They are tools used by aliens used to monitor the evolution of human kind. When you blow a bubble, saliva and thus, DNA flows into the bubble. Then, as it pops, a special signal is transduced to them, allowing them to keep track of us. I discovered that within this little bubbles is a magical ingredient which keep us addicted, if I might say, to blowing bubbles. And people, that is why we blow bubbles!"

The audience stared at the mad scientist in awe, not because they finally understood the mystery, but because the scientist was suddenly wrapped around by a huge bubble, and then taken up into the sky and never to return again!

The end.

***

If you're still reading this, congratulations on being super bored. It has been a joy entertaining you. =)

The betrayal factor

Taken from the daily devotions.

John 13:4
He rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself.

Have you ever been betrayed? Your name smeared unjustly? I'm not talking on the bathroom wall either. I'm talking about at the same church you were baptized and married in. I'm referring to when your best friend from childhood through adulthood is two facing you to others. I'm talking about your own flesh and blood biting the very back they use to lie upon while watching Saturday cartoons. I want to move close to you for a moment. Have you ever been betrayed by a person you loved with all your heart. In the movie Braveheart, there is a scene that speaks a language of pain and betrayal without words. It is the look upon William Wallace's (Mel Gibson) face as he pulls the knights helmet off his would be enemy; only to discover his own king and friend has betrayed him after a handshake of loyalty. Remember the scene? Remember the look? Is your betrayal fresh, or old? Was it yesterday or 10 years ago? Have you really dealt with it? Did it break your spirit?

Stay with me. I want to show you 3 truths that will start the healing process in you. It is important that you guard your heart from hatred, rage, unforgiveness and bitterness toward the guilty person. Judas and Peter were the only two disciples who verbally betrayed Jesus. Ironically, Judas and Peter are the only two names mentioned around the table where Jesus was washing filthy feet. Could Jesus be revealing an insight into overcoming betrayal? Let's see.

Knowing whose you are and where you are going in God
This is the first step to overcoming betrayal. It was for Jesus. Read how He encouraged Himself before washing Judas's feet. Remember, Jesus already knew Satan had entered Judas before He washed his feet. Jesus silently encourages Himself in scripture. "Jesus, knowing that the father had given all things into His hand, and that He had come from God and was going to God, rose from supper and laid aside His garment...." John 13:3 Jesus encouraged Himself in the fact that He had come from God and was going back to God. This gave Him the ability and strength to wash His betrayer's feet. How much more do we need to follow Jesus' example here. Again, knowing who you belong to and what He has called you to do is key to overcoming the hatred and bitterness attached with being betrayed.

You must take action
"After that, He poured water into the basin and began to wash the disciple's feet." John 13:5 Note the action of pouring. Much effort and strength is required to lift and pour water. Don't forget that forgiveness, as well as love, is a verb. Take action! If Jesus had not forgiven Judas, He would have sinned. Unless you forgive, you cannot be forgiven the Bible declares. It's your heart at stake, not the betrayers. You cannot control the hearts of others. You must take action and begin to pour the water yourself, regardless of how you feel about the situation. The Holy Spirit is a wonderful counselor if we'll listen to Him. If your motive is pure, He will direct, comfort and empower you to walk out your action. Leave the consequences to God. You be obedient!

Your dry towel must get wet
John 13:5 "...and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded." That means the towel Jesus was wearing got uncomfortably wet, dirty, stinky and heavy. Friend, if your going to overcome the Judas's in your life, you must take off and put on the garment of humility. It' going to get messy, dirty and heavy! Just remember, it's God's mess! Jesus didn't stop after washing their feet, but completed the task by drying as well. Don't leave loose ends. Don't just call or email. Go directly to your brother or sister! Dirty towels can always be washed! A dirty heart is a completely different matter.

Don't let the sun go down on your wrath!

Bigger than my imagination

These few days can be summed up in one word: revamp.

I took somebody's advice and decided to finally reformat my laptop. For me, it is the worst possible nightmare for me, that's why I've been finding excuses to not reformat. Reformatting means reinstalling every single program and rearranging my (thousands of) songs into playlists, and that's what terrifies me. A LOT.

The process started before midnight, and not surprisingly my eyes were still glued to the laptop by 4am, installing appropriate programs and doing what other people couldn't even be bothered about. It's all about organisation; that's why people find it annoying when I point out that his/her music library is not organised well, for example if the album info was missing.

***

Introducing another artist worth mentioning: Michael Gungor.

If you like Chris Tomlin's songs, it's a safe bet to say that you'll enjoy Michael's album Bigger than My Imagination. Though guitar isn't my favourite instrument, I'd have to say that he has one of the best acoustic guitar-playing skills that I've ever heard. He does harmonics like nobody's business, and makes everything sound so effortless. Every single track on his album is beautiful in its own way, a few of my favourites are "Move Me", "It's Your Love" and "Doxology". The last song is a pure guitar instrumental, and I love the way how the song is sort of telling a story itself, without the input of any lyrics at all.

Move Me
Michael Gungor, Israel Houghton

Key: A

Intro:
A6/9 Em9


Verse 1:
        A6/9
And You move me just when I thought
       Em9
that I had it all together
        A6/9
And You move me just when I thought
                  Em9
that things could not get any better


Bridge:
Cmaj7                        Amaj7
I am ready, come and move me once a – gain,
Cmaj7                        A/D  D5  A/D
I am ready, come and move me once a – gain


Chorus:
        A(2) Em9
And You move me
C              D              A(2)
Closer to You, closer to Your heart
  Em9  C                D
I see clearer, so much clearer
        A(2) Em9
And You move me
C              D              A(2)
Closer to You, closer to Your heart
  Em9  C                D
I see clearer, so much clearer than before
        A6/9    Em9
And You move me


Verse 2:
        A6/9
And You move me from the comfort
          Em9
that I've come to know and love
        A6/9
And You move me to experience
Em9
the sovereignty of God


Other:
A  A(2)  G/B  Cmaj7 G/B  A  G  D/F#  G


Ending:
A  G/B  C  D  C/E  D/F#  Bm7   

and another one...

IT'S YOUR LOVE
Michael Gungor

It's like the air I breathe
It's so easy
To forget about it
Not so easy to live without it
It's like the beating of my heart
Easy to overlook
But life doesn't mean so much
Without it

I can't help it
I just keep thinking about it

It's Your love pouring like the rain
It's Your love bringing a change in me
Causing my eyes to see more of Your love

It's like the land that stays
In the middle of a hurricane
While the rest of the world
Is flying
It is the only thing
More faithful than the light
Rising from the east
Every morning

It's Your love
And it's pouring like the rain
It's Your love Lord
Bringing a change in me
Causing my eyes to see more of Your love

A Medical Issue

I pity whoever that's stuck with me in a room, or anywhere else for that matter this month, and probably early next month too.

Care to know why? It's because I've diagnosed myself with EHS (excessive HOUSE syndrome). For those who have never heard of the tv medical series HOUSE before, shame on you. Go watch it here or here.

EHS clearly explains the symptoms I'm experiencing, for example sitting in front of the computer waiting for episodes to load very patiently for 5 hours and above every day, having all 3 meals in front of the computer to ENJOY watching and eating at the same time, rewind my favourite scene in episode 15 of season 3 over and over again and hope that the ending changes, secretly hopes that there is indeed a Dr House somewhere on this planet, and lastly think that doctors have the coolest yet most miserable job at the same time.

Oh, and did I mention that one of the most prominent symptom is to blabber on and on about the episodes that I've just seen to just about anyone who tries talking to me, until all I can read on their face is "Waliu eh, this girl sure got EHS, talk so much about rubbish, like I care a bit about a tv series at all!"

So on behalf of myself, the creator, director, crew, actors and actresses of the tv series House, a big sorry if I have in any way, annoyed you or make you feel like zipping my mouth shut (or anything worse). I should hopefully recover and regain my normal self in a few weeks.