8 years certainly feels very long. Feels like I’ve been in JYM forever. Not saying I’m the old bird yet; I’m probably still very far from it.

I do still remember my first day in JYM, when I introduced myself as “Ryan’s brother” when they asked for our names. Not a wise choice when you have people like Jesse teasing you afterwards.

I heard a lot of crazy stories from Ryan before I entered JYM: Camp A176, underground church and so on. I guess I was rather mentally prepared when I entered JYM. I don’t really remember what I was like back then… I wasn’t the naughty one right? I still remember drawing on the sanctuary carpet steps (not literally, I mean you know the direction of the fur on the carpet.. argh whatever), being voted the Most Enthusiastic in my first ever JYM camp and forcing Ivan to proclaim “Blackburn sucks” during a game similar to Whose line is it anyway.

Yes and the pool table, and obviously carpark soccer.

Now for the not-so-happy side of my life in JYM.

I don’t think anyone has noticed but I’m actually a person who keeps a lot a lot of things to myself. If you remember, last year’s JYM camp afterglow was a rare moment I became very honest in my opinions. And there was actually more to it which I didn’t mention. This is another reason why I restarted my blog. Slowly but surely I’ll start releasing a lot of stuff kept inside of me.

I have an itchy ear. I do get irritated when the sound balance and mix for worship isn’t right. For one period in JYM back in the old church, I found it so hard to worship because all that was in my head was “the drums was way too soft”. It did take me a long time to overcome this. Maybe that’s why I’m doing PA now haha.

There was once I became very angry on something in JYM and went home to blog about it. Ivan and Pastor Henry came to talk to me about it. Contrary to their beliefs, I didn’t blog it in a fit of anger; I actually did take a while to process and then blog about it. It’s still swimming in my blogspot archives, if you want to find it.

I think I’m not the only one but there was a point in time I felt like quitting JYM, or “taking a break”. It was a dry season and I felt no one cared for me. There wasn’t anyone who would come up and ask me about my Christian walk and such, maybe because I looked like the regular church-goer who never had problems. I didn’t have a mentor either. Why am I still in JYM? I just couldn’t see myself leaving. Same reason why I didn’t quit Track in Sec 4. I have never told anyone about this. Consider yourself lucky.

One more thing that nobody knows: I was actually reluctant to become a committee member, but still accepted the offer. Not a good way to start off as a youth leader eh?

Lastly, there’s something that really irks me. But I will keep it for another post. So stay tuned haha.

Well if anyone is still wondering what I’m doing in army now, here’s a really brief description. And it’s really brief because I don’t want any MPs to come charging at me. Okay simply put, I’m not supposed to talk too much about army stuff.

I’m an admin spec in Pulau Ulu Tekong. I think that pretty much says it all. So for those studying happily for A levels or finishing their final year in poly, you unfortunately have a low chance of seeing me, because I’m hogging the office aircon. But by any chance you see me, please say hi. Don’t forget to add “sar-geant” because I can still knock you down.

And it looks like a lot of recruits think i’m a down-pes slacker. Not blaming them, because I thought all admin specs were combat unfit and thus put into the office when I was still a bald head. It’s okay, I tell them I’ve a more awesome job than my unlucky friends.

Okay end of army update. Yay.

Music: Take A Chance On Me by JLS
This song features on my tumblr because Justin Bieber sang about the wrong season and I’ve already covered K-pop in an earlier post so no SNSD. JLS is the runner-up of X Factor 2008.

Video: Halloween Light Show - Party Rock Anthem - KJ92508
I’ve seen this house before, in stupidvideos.com haha. This isn’t the first time they’re done a light show in the front yard. Do check out their other videos!

Last words: Why always me?

Yeahh 14 months to ORD!

And 14 months sitting in an aircon office in an offshore island. Let’s see how this goes eh? Maybe I’ll get overbored and start having fun with recruits.

Maybe I’ll try to keep this more updated too.

Today in JYM was the discussion on swearing and clubbing. Both of which I’m not into, but surrounded by. Especially where I am now. In all honesty, I am especially disgusted by christians who spew out expletives, display rude hand gestures and swear as if no one is watching. Goodness Romans 12:2 people.

To me, controlling your tongue is a high form of self-discipline, because it is sometimes a subconscious, or even a natural thing to blurt out some vulgarities. Not that I’m entirely innocent of this, but I try to watch my words even when I’m angry or upset. Yes, I do replace vulgarities with “nicer” words. Yes, the intention is there but at least I’m putting in effort in filtering my words. But I don’t know what to say when I see christians talking with colourful language, not just through the mouth but even in facebook and twitter.

Next, I hate clubbing. I’ve been to one and I didn’t like it. Before I went Taiwan I already told myself I will not go clubbing there. I’ve been to Festival Of Praise, Hillsong United concerts and other christian worship sessions, and they’re way better than dancing and singing to songs with suggestive lyrics which you don’t mean. I rather be filled with the Holy Spirit than with alcohol. I rather dance and sing to my God than waste a night away.

Because I am in this world, but not of this world.

Music: Bust Your Knee Caps by Pomplamoose
A song about, I’m guessing, a crime family. Do look up Pomplamoose’s other songs and covers.

Youtube: Apple - Introducing GLaDOSiri on iPhone 4S - bamfer23
With the new Siri feature in iPhone, this is a brilliant parody of the commercial. Just for some context, GLaDOS is a machine character in Valve’s game Portal, known for her sarcasm. “The cake is a lie” originates from the same game.

Last words: Time to get back to HTML. It’s been a year.

Well I’ve been going around youtube and discovered some hilarious gems. As the saying goes, if a video is good, it probably involves an asian, a cat or something worthy of failblog.

If you’re into k-pop, or are at least familiar with the more popular songs, this and that might very well give you a good laugh. While you’re at it, go check out their other videos.

If you’re into cats, here are two amazing videos for you: this and that. If by now, you still don’t know what nyan cat is, I believe you’re an internet caveman.

And I did learn how to play nyan cat on the guitar.

I won’t be updating much about my army life recently because I’m just waiting for more stuff to happen so I can put in one solid update.

Music: This and That is Life by David Choi
The new single from one of my favourite solo singer, from his newest album ‘Forever and Ever’.

Youtube: Lassi Hurskainen Angry Birds - paskhakale
If the youtube videos linked above isn’t enough for you, it means you’re too free. So here’s another one. Enjoy.

Last words: Well Steve, the only product I have from you is iTunes. Sorry. 

Let’s face it. We either enjoy watching an asian, admiring a cat or laughing at something terrible on Youtube. In other words, get a life.

Exam period again?

I remember this period of time last year: end of prelims and awaiting the final hurdle. It was a really tough and stressful period, I must admit. My prelim grades weren’t the best; I was particularly disappointed with my physics and GP results. I started working on topics which I was especially weak in. I did exam paper after exam paper, from morning till evening.

It was scary that the next exam I was about to take was the final and major one. It was even scarier due to the fact I skipped O Levels.

Well, you just gotta keep mugging.

It was at this period of time when I felt stressed and frustrated with myself.

It was at this period of time when I wanted to give up on so many occasions.

It was also at this period of time when I found a song which motivated and gave me confidence. Every time I felt down and disappointed, I would open up Youtube, listen to the song and then play it on the guitar.

The song is Overcome by Desperation Band.

I would tell myself, I will overcome A levels, not by my own strength but with God, who has all authority and every victory. My worries would leave me, and I looked forward to the end of last November when I could finally tell God: I overcame.

Every time I hear this song, it is a reminder of God’s faithfulness in helping me through the most difficult period of my life so far.

Everything is in God’s hands. Don’t burden yourself with something you can lift it up to God. Exam periods aren’t the easiest moments, especially when it’s a huge one like A levels. But leave everything to God, commit your worries to Him in prayer. And you will overcome.

Music: Take Heart by Hillsong United
If you’re looking for another song to help you through difficult periods (not necessarily exams), this is a perfect song for you. It comes from their latest album Aftermath, which is, I’ll say, very different from their normal albums.

Video: PUMPED UP KICKS|DUBSTEP - WHZGUD2
If you’re looking for something amazing, here’s a fantastic dancer. Dancing to a dubstep remix of Pumped Up Kicks, you wouldn’t believe he’s even human. 

Last words: Three letters sum up my army life now. They are ‘z’, ‘z’ and ‘z’. Zzz.

Need some help? Handy econs notes and GP tips!

Yes I’m officially a 3rd sergeant!

After 6 months of endless outfields and mosquito bites, I can now get rid of my white rank and don the new black chevrons.

And of course with the rank comes the duty and responsibility of taking charge of people and knocking them down.

I must still say I hate my vocation as an infantry specialist but I guess I can’t go anywhere else as I had a Malaysian passport. But yes, green berets are the proudest people on the parade square (other than the jungle hats).

It’s been 8 months since I entered the army and it feels really really long. It hasn’t been the easiest 8 months, especially when you have to chiong sua for 11.5 weeks in ASLC.

But after all the hard work of finding ways to slack, I am now proud to wear my rank. Now another chapter of army begins, where I become a commander, manager, leader and more importantly, slacker.

I will definitely miss my section mates and my friends from BMT. Taiwan was the highlight of my army life so far and it was a pleasure working with my awesome section. Good luck to all with your posting and possible re-postings!

From REC to SCT to 3SG Lawrence. CALL ME SARGEANT OR YOU KNOCK IT DOWN!

Music: I Miss You by Dominic Sandoval
Dominic Sandoval aka D-trix, known for his dancing with ABDC champions Quest Crew and later a judge on the same show, brings out a classic love rap/song for his beloved. 

Youtube: A Chance - El Nino
A love story in which a man who had everything perfectly set up for him, fails to hit the spot and everything went downhill for him. A romantic drama, with a twist of comedy, makes this a perfect video.

Last words: Well, hello Tekong. Nice meeting you again :D

Yes, the song is written by Ingrid Michaelson, not Cheryl Cole.

And she clearly did not do the Airborne course.
How does Airborne relate to pushing terrorists into a river anyway?

Yes I’m updating to reduce the guilt of not updating when I come back from army next week.

But honestly, I don’t have much to update, because the things I want to update about will require some time to write.

And I’m lazy.

So come back next week and hope to see something more interesting (or not).

“I h8-2 to say this but the Arsenal joke has gone on 4-3 weeks now.”

Music: Paradise - Coldplay
The new single from their upcoming album “Mylo Xyloto”. Well, can someone tell me what the album title means?

Youtube: Jedi Kittens Strike Back by FinalCutKing
Cats and light-sabers combined gives you an awesome video.

Last words: …’cause if one day you wake up and find that you’re missing me…

Life is like a rollercoaster. It twists and turns, spins you around, but as long as you’ve bought insurance, you don’t really have to worry.

Picture taken in Taiwan, 2011.