Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Blog Shift!

Moving to this link over here: I'm Just Me

Seeing as it IS a new year and all, a new chapter, so yeah..

See you guys there :)

Sunday, August 11, 2013

A True Story: Refugee Children (My Perspective)

Today, I watched a performance - a play, which cast consists of refugee children. Children who were barely in their teens - some of them were not even in their teens, but children.

The story acted out was indeed a real-life story, about a family of four. The husband/father had been away and finally returns to his wife and kids after two years.

The reunion, the dinner - were joyful. Happy that they were together again, that the family was complete again - it touched the heart.

However, when the father said he had to talk to the mother - it was then that it became bittersweet as these four words were spoken,

"We have to leave."

Could you imagine, if, within a blink of an eye, your world turns upside down? With no warning, and your parent simply just came back and told you that you had to leave home? Your home - all your friends and everyone and everything that you knew.

And even then, it's not the worst of it. Oh no, the government was after them.

So not only were they losing their home, but their country. Everything. All that they had ever known and were part of.

FACT: A lot of the cast had been in the same situation, for better or worse. But they were, they ARE strong. They never gave up despite having to have their world entirely upturned. They're passionate, dedicated, talented, committed and WILLING to live.

So I ask you this, reader, "What is your excuse? For not living your life - helping people, getting good grades, building and strengthening relationships; for procrastinating and being lazy.... What, exactly is YOUR excuse?"

Don't take your life for granted.

Sunday, July 14, 2013

A True Story: Loss of Vision, Loss of Sight

So, there was a heart-rending testimony by a blind man called David, from Agape Services for the Blind at church today. He told us of his childhood - when he was active in sports; representing his school for competitions and could enjoy them greatly - with perfect vision.

Until one day, when he dropped his eraser - and couldn't seem to find it. So he reached out his hands and tried to find it, like how a blind person would. When his sister came by and saw, she asked why couldn't he find it, as it was simply RIGHT IN FRONT of him.

Thinking nothing of it, time passed. But these kinds of incidents repeated themselves, so his mother took him to the doctor. Then, the doctor told her.

He had "retinitis pigmentosa" - a genetic disease that caused loss of both night and normal vision.

His mother was shocked. She left the doctor, and headed back to David who asked her what was the matter. She didn't answer, but when she reached the entrance, only then she spoke, "It's okay. We're going to keep seeing other doctors until you're cured."

Finally, the tears she had been holding back were let loose.

She cried.

And so did he.

They didn't know how long they were there crying at the entrance.

He was only 14 when he found out he was going blind. It was a difficult situation for him to grasp. After all, how could it happen to him? He was only fourteen. Just..fourteen. Could you imagine, if that was you? I couldn't.

To add to it, he was the only male child in the family - and the eldest. The rest of his three siblings were his sisters. As the eldest, he had responsibilities and expectations. It wasn't his fault that he had the disease, but yet he felt that he was letting his parents down, his sisters.

No longer could he participate in what he loved - that was sports. He could no longer be a player, but only a watcher - from the sidelines.

Could you imagine how painful it was, it is - to not be able to do what you love?

I felt like crying. Not for me, but for him.

Yet with much courage, faith and time, he learnt Braille. He excelled in his academics and won awards. Now, he is helping others by working at Agape Services for the Blind.

After his story, there was a performance - by the blind themselves - a group of them who had came.

It was simply amazing and touching at the same time.

We gave them a standing ovation that was truly, genuinely well-deserved.

I hope that you who reads this note is blessed and touched just as I have been, and I also hope that this will inspire you to help the community.

“The best way to not feel hopeless is to get up and do something. Don’t wait for good things to happen to you. If you go out and make some good things happen, you will fill the world with hope, you will fill yourself with hope.” ― Barack Obama

Saturday, July 6, 2013

Snippets on Life: Thoughts about Celebrities

So I just stumbled across an article talking about crazy fans, and suffice to say, I'm just like "Seriously?" right now.

Personally, I've always had the mind-set that celebrities are regular people who're just really well-known for what they do; their passion. I don't, and can't seem to see them as "gods" and "goddesses" and the like.

But instead, I see them as regular people like you and me and everyone else who made their passions, their talents into their careers. And they do well, thus the fact that they're well-known.

Do I admire them? Yes. Do I like them? Yes. But I don't worship them to the point of extreme, nor am I obsessed with them. It's like how I like the people in my life for who they are, and what they have done for me. Whether they are my people whom I don't really know but I admire or are my inspirations, friends, family or close ones - I do have feelings for them, but am not obsessed or infatuated with them.

That's how I feel about celebrities, which, again, in my definition, are just regular people who're well-known for what they do; their passion and their talents.

Over the years, there have been many celebrities who've committed suicide, adultery, broken various laws and so many things. Do I hate them, do I despise them?

No.

I feel sorry for them. I feel sympathetic for them.

Because ultimately, it is peer pressure that makes them break down, just like how each and everyone of us have our own break-downs caused by pressure - such as how us students break-down sometimes due to the burden of our exams, our courses and our assignments; how people broke down due to failed relationships; the list goes on and on.

High expectations are set upon them by so many. Expected to do this, expected to do that and so on...

Come on, people. There's only so much they can take. Just like how there's only so much you and me can take.

Everyone has their limits, and so do I. Example? I pushed myself so hard last year during my finals that when, taking my Chemistry paper (Paper 1, 2 and 3) - I had a headache, a flu, a sore-throat, a cough and a minor fever.

I almost collapsed in class.

And, according to my friends and the teacher, I had looked pale, and I had been shivering.

My total amount of sleep for that very week of finals came up to less than 10 hours.

Suffice to say, I got a lot of lectures.

So that's my case in point.

I'm not saying that it's illegal to be fans of celebrities or anything, but instead of pressurizing them, we should support them whole-heartedly and considerately. Give them encouragement, boost their morale.etc.

Annnnd so, that's it for now. I've been wanting to get this off my chest for awhile. Here's a hug.



Till the next time I blog! :)


Friday, June 14, 2013

Back to Blogging, Personal Thoughts and College

Can't believe it's been more than a year since I blogged, but anyway, I'm back!~ And with a new layout, too. Thank you BlogspotTemplates for the template!

Also, I promise to make my blog, well, more me I suppose. I've changed a lot since the last time I blogged.

For this first post (that dramatically marks my return *cough*) I'm just going to well dwell on some thoughts. Without the nagging and everything. And scoldings. And nagging - wait, I said that already. Anyhow, thoughts ahoy!

I started college this year - 


In...January.


Yeah, I know. A lot of my friends asked me why I started so early, why didn't I take a break when I could, why didn't I work...etc.etc. Well, the thing was, I felt bored. And really unproductive. Plus, I felt like I was confined in the house. It was as if I was suffocating and everything around me was just stifling and stuff. And college felt right somehow. You know that feeling when you just know that it's right? Yeah, that's what I felt.

It worked out well. I have no regrets starting in January, honestly. Funny, really, cause my initial plan was to actually start in July. But seriously? I'm glad I went with my instincts. I met really great people, and had lots of fun with them. I got to challenge myself by designing tickets, posters and so much more stuff for my assignments and advertising for college events/stuff.

For an assignment (with a few sources used. Thanks, Google Images and respective sources!)



I also got to design the ticket for my course's prom, so that was just pretty amazing - though challenging. My friend came up with the design, and I did it digitally on Photoshop. It took quite some time though, about 7-8 hours? Or more than that, I'm not sure. I made some minor changes here and there while and after discussing with said friend. On the whole, I think it came out great.

The Final Outcome (Printed!)

Credits and thanks to Adrian for the design and discussion. And trusting me to make it real.

I took the picture of the ticket with my phone, but the lighting didn't come out right when I uploaded it onto the PC for some reason eventhough it looked fine on said phone. So I tweaked with lighting filters, editing it on Photoshop to make it as close to the genuine ticket as possible.


*gives self a pat on the back* (What?)

Honestly, I never expected to go this far with my Photoshop skills (I'm a beginner, in my opinion.) but it was pretty good to bust out my creative/imagination skills.

I love this quote on creativity by George Bernard Shaw. It sums up how and what I feel + think perfectly.


Well, with this quote I'll end for now.

Bye and thanks for reading!

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Dare to Believe

...


"No more
We're gonna lose everything
If we believe all the lies
I may fall but I swear that I'll help you believe
No more
This world's running on empty
And there's no reason why
You may fall but I know that you'll help me believe

We've been in the dark for way too long
But when we turn around
We see a light shine through the haze
So forget about who was wrong
Because I've never been more ready to turn this page

If you swear you believe in life
Embrace forgiveness
'Cuz it's all that I'm asking
Or keep holding out while the innocent die"


Dare to Believe

Friday, November 18, 2011

The World - Why

Why do we do this to ourselves?

The continuation of monopolizing...the endless betraying...the endless losing...constantly doing the wrong things, repeating history.

I wonder.


Life is a cycle...but cycles can be broken, can't they?


So why....why can't we break out of this cycle of endless pain, suffering, lies and betrayal?


All of us are sick of it....tired of being afraid...wanting to die....constantly being in depression...losing people...hurting people...


Why do we do this?

Why do we cause people pain?


Why do we judge others based on things they didn't do?


Why....do we judge people on the colours of their skin...without knowing anything about them?

Why do we judge people on things...that was done a long time ago? The past is the past....there it will remain...the chains of the past must be broken in order to live...

Why....do we judge people...when we don't know them and only their names?

Blood and tears shed, suffering caused..violence the result....

It doesn't help any of us....and only causes more guilt....the regret and shame descending...

Positivity...and identity...gone.

So.....why?

Friday, July 15, 2011

Feelings

'

I think that, maybe...just maybe.. I might be feeling this.

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

UPDATE

I know, it's been nearly six full months since I blogged.

It's just that, sometimes I wonder if blogging is really something to be pursued. Yes, the power of the cyberweb is that all you people get to see me complaining about crap and stuff like materialistic needs. But I realize that, other then that, blogging can be used for good things. And such, this will be my more personal blog - I will open up another one.

This other blog's purposes will be different. It will be the focus on areas of life - relationships, family, friendship and etc. It will be a place where all of you can express your views by leaving comments. I will also share my own personal view and experience on whatever I've gone through. Besides that, I will keep side-posts for ranting and venting about daily lives so you guys can vent.

LINK: http://love-lifex.blogspot.com/

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

IO CAMP 2011



IO Camp 2011.. Well, what can I say? It was simply amazing and it totally had an awesome presence of God :D Congrats to everyone who got awards as well as everyone else. And remember! All of us are winners!... :D Sat. Reunion. JOM :D

*cough*

On a more personal note, thanks and hugs to the whole committee members and leaders and everyone for doing a fantabulously awesome job :D It was great to meet new friends, laugh and share joy while having tons of fun (CSI, Treasure Hunt, Telematch..etc) :) The "mini" sermons were touching, and made me realize that I've been doing some things the wrong way. So with new resolve and being recharged, I'm gonna do them The Right Way instead. GO DUBCUBE! Totally can't wait to see what's next :)

And and! Got gift for u guys...What ah? Song Lyrics! =) shall post it up some time, preferably before the reunion~ =)
Anyway, thank you Dubcube for planning this camp. You've opened my eyes to several things, and have truly empowered and touched lives, one of which is mine =) I hope to be on the committee one day :)

PROTEIN! JYEAH!

-Hugs from an IO Camper,
Michelle Lim