adrianism…

Steve Irwin aka Crocodile hunter has died - after being stung on the chest by a sting ray while filming a documentary. A number of people find it ironic that a ‘crocodile hunter’ was killed by a sting ray. A few months ago (or was it last year) I heard a rumor that he died. And now for sure, he is (considering the reports of his death all over).

I always enjoyed his shows! With his Aussie accent and the way he tomes his voice, he makes wildlife shows very lively - it makes me feel as though i am part of the show

Deepest condolence to his family and may he rest in peace.

"Centrale Banco de Curtin"

When i stepped into Curtin Students Services a few weeks ago before the semester started, i thought i was standing in a bank i wasn’t use to the new system yet. Anyway! Congratulations to the management on the implementation of "Que Management System" in the Students Services Department. I believe this improvement will better the efficiency of the department!

ps: Thank God they don’t have the ‘annoying voice’ announcing each number. Imagine "TING TONG! - EMPAT-SATU-TIGA-DUA, KAUNTER EMPAT"

Cheaper Printing

Also newsworthy is the IT Dept introduction of the "10cent-per page" printing policy. It used to cost 20cents to print 1 A4 page - and so that’s a 50% discount! Congratulations!!!

Curtin Phase 2 nearly completed……is it?

I was just talking to a friend a few days ago, and we were wondering where phase2 of curtin will be built? We were expecting some development over the semester break, at least see some pilings being done. Anyway there were some development over the holidays, and believe me, it’s almost completed! Very promising I’m just not sure if this is Curtin phase 2, but let’s cross our fingers that Curtin phase 2 is more than this!:

Nicole Chin! I guess you have mix feelings leaving Miri….. (kesian Jerome…:P)

It so happened that on the last day of the men’s conference which i attended, it was also the day Nicole would be going back to KL. So i was to send Jerome (who was to return to Kuching for the holidays) and Nicole to the airport. It seems that they had a surprised in plan - hehe, they gave me an early birthday gift (a CUTE teddybear) and also ‘chia’ me to dinner at Riam cafe (opposite the army camp). I didn’t know that there Riam cafe actually served so many kinds of food, and the western food which we ate was delicious (although a bit tough).

Well, I knew Nicole thru her mom before she came to Curtin, who called me to say that Nicole would be coming over to syudy at Curtin, and she hoped that Nicole would join CSS. Well, eventually, Nicole did join us at CSS :D, and in the end found her ‘love’, Jerome (or is it the other way round? haha!). Nicole is a nice girl and her presence in CSS deffinitely made a difference Too bad you have to go back to KL la Nicole….we surely miss you :’( I must appologise that i did not do any farewell for you.

Anyway, take care and may God bless you Nicole! Wishing you all the best with your future undertakings. Oh ya! Hope to see you baptised soon too

Ow man….. i’ve not been blogging recently. I haven’t even blogged about my trip to Kuching *sigh* (i should write soon). A lot of things happened actually and i have been very busy lately. Classes have begun and i am again taking 3 subjects this semester.

Anyway, i attended the Catholic Men’s Conference, and it was a good one! My favourite talks were:

++ The crisis of manhood/fatherhood - what happens when a man doesn’t play his proper role? What qualities should a real man/father have?
++ Discovering/Rediscovering the real, unique & special me - No family is perfect, and because of that many of us are hurt. Nevertheless, we still can make a difference in our family once we recognise who we are and what common mistakes not to fall into.
++ Healing of self-image - to accept myself and also change the way i look at myself.
++ Understanding communication between men and women - this was hilarious! Most of the examples were adapted from the "Venus & Mars" series.
++ Theology of the Body - how is the human body actually a reflection of God.
++ Qualities of a Man of God and how to develop them - 2 levels of developing manly qualities (1st stage St. John the Baptist, 2nd stage St. John the beloved)
++ Mission of a Catholic Man in Today’s society - what roles Catholic man should play in today’s world.

Actually this conference is more suited for married men, but nevertheless, a few "orang bujang" attended - i believe to prepare ourselves But i went to because i was interested in a number of the talks. I think the main things i learnt from this conference was to accept myself. Also, i realised that as a man, i have a very important ‘active role’ in the family and in the society - it’s all about playing my role properly as a man and also making a difference. There was a pharse by Pope Benedict used during the talk which goes…. "a father is ‘not a mere biological phenomenan’". It means a father isn’t just there to make babies. He’s suppose to play a very active role together with the mother to raise the family

You are invited to the Catholic Men’s Conference 2006
====================
= Theme: “Be Masculine, Real & Responsible”
= Dates: 21st-25th July 2006
= Venue: St Francis of assisi seminary Chapel, Brighton, Miri, Sarawak
= This conference will provide YOU with insights into:
++ The crisis of manhood/fatherhood.
++ Questions of: Who am I? What is my purpose in life?
++ Discovering/Rediscovering the real, unique & special me.
++ Healing of self-image.
++ Understanding communication between men and women.
++ Theology of the Body.
++ Qualities of a Man of God and how to develop them.
++ Mission of a Catholic Man in Today’s society.

Don’t miss it

My friend’s mum passed away, on the day i arrived at Miri from my trip to Kuching on Wednesday 12th July (after she underwent a surgery the previous day). This news was so shocking! i got an sms from another friend asking for prayers, saying our friend’s mom was seriously i’ll in the hospital. i wanted to know more so i sms my friend, and he said his mom was indeed in serious condition. At that time, i was in the bus from Bintulu, and my hp battery was really low, so was unable to phone my friend. By the time i arrived in Miri, after going home for a while, i went to the medical centre together with John, but by then my friend’s mum had already passed away Actually, just 2 weeks ago, his family visited my dad in the same medical centre after my dad underwent a surgery. Anyway the funeral was held on the 14th of July. And have been attending the nightly rosary prayers at his house (i missed 2 nights).

My deepest sympathy and condolence to my friend and his family. Be strong and hang on to the hope of the resurrection and that we will all meet again in heaven some day!

“I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live” (John 11:25)
“But we don’t not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who have died, so that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with Him those who have died” (1 Thes 4:13-14)
“eternal rest grant unto her o Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace. Amen”

Hooray! I passed all!!! Somehow i kindof knew i will pass all subjects this semester (i felt peaceful after i sat for my last paper, and also throughout the holidays). Results were officially out on 12/7/06.

Throughout my degree life in Curtin (that’s 3 years in total), my each semester exam result would be marred by either 1 FAIL if not 2 FAILS (out of the SUPPS i got, i only passed one). So this time, sem 1 2006 was history for me - i know, i know. i only took 3 subjects (2 are repeats) and i passed all 3. well, it’s an achivement for me, and that has motivated me to continue, although i still have fear of facing my studies again (Lord, pls help me). Anyway, here are my marks:

=Engineering Economics 401 - 56
=Engineering Electromagnetics 201 - 69
=Mathematics 277 - 77

Thank you Lord! (i know my parents, especially my mom has been praying extremely hard for me. this time their prayers are answered, after like 5 semesters of praying? :> Well, i just hope to maintain the passes…. again i feel so fearful to face my studies. i find it tough and not of my interest, that’s why. but since i’m already halfway, beter just continue)

At least this semester i didn’t have to go thru so much emotional roller-coaster (phew!). To my friends who either got SUPP or FAIL, don’t give up. i know you might fell awful and bad (i went thru those feelings - SO MANY TIMES!) Just treat it as an experience in life and strive to do better the next time.

I got a call on Friday (7/7/06) around lunch time when i was in Kuching…
“Hello! Adrian, this is Cikgu Jagjit. We got third place”
“THIRD PLACE AH???!!!”

Wow! imagine the thrill i went thru when i heard that SK Jalan Bintang school Choir managed to get third placing for the choir competition i was so happy!!

A week before i left for Kuching, i was asked to help the school choir prepare for a choir competition. Last year, they got the last placing in the competition (9th placing). So this year they decided to get some help from outside. My sister’s teacher, knowing that i conduct the church choir told the PKKK about me. That’s how i was called. Anyway, since i am not a professional (and never have any experience working with children and being involved in a competition), in my heart i was telling myself and hoping and praying that as long they don’t get last placing again this year i would be happy enough. I did tell myself it would be nice if they could get 3rd placing. True enough they got 3rd this year!
Anyway, i had a really good time working with the kids (primary 4-6). Since it is my ambition to be a teacher, i got some firsthand experience (even though only for a few hours for 4 days) in teaching. I loved it!!! On my last day with them, 2 of the students were crying (normal for some children to miss their teacher…kekeke….:P). i really thank God for His guidance and also for helping the choir do their best!
Tahniah semua!!!

I’m back, after a week of travelling. So will be doing lots of posting the next few days

Been up to:
1) Going to campus.
2) preparing talk for Worship! Camp
3) erm… staying home

Anyway i got a surprise yesterday - Esther came home and told me that her teacher asked if i could help with their school choir. i was really caught by surprised. i wanted to reject he offer because i felt that i was quite busy (or rather going to be) since i’ll be involved a little in the Worship! Camp, then i’ll be going to Kuching next week for a week + to attend a meeting - Malaysian Catholic Students Council 3 (MCSC 3). It’s my first time attending anyway.

But then, her penolong kanan called in the afternoon. i told her i was busy, but i tried to think of some friends who might be able to help out. Tried Abel, but i guess he might be busy now, or rather not in the best mood. In the end, i decided to help, but i mentioned to the teacher that i could only help for a few days. and i’ve never met the students, don’t know their standard…so well, i guess i’ll just go and see and what i can help with. i also consulted Jonathan, a friend from Carmelite church choir, since he has experience in this.

so this morning at 8am, went to breakfast with Lionel Goh - wanted to pass him some books to read. Aiya, he said he’ll be moving to KK….adui….so we were just sharing a few things there about life. So around 10am, i arrived at Esther’s school. Hehe, i got the chance to feel what’s like being a teacher (makes me love my dream profession more - but sometimes i have doubts about mysef….) Anyway, after hearing the students singing. i feel that the problem has to do with their dynamic. No power in their voice. They already started singing in parts, but it was a bit out of tune, but more of no power. i don’t really know what to do. But i got them to sing only in 1 voice and tried to improve ther dynamics. So hopefully tomorrow, i can try putting voices, once tey have improved their dynamics. The choir competition will be on th 7th of July. I just hope i can contribute to help them succedd, even if a little i’m happy, since such a short time frame was given.

*yawn*……..really sleepy now…….zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz oppss!
almost fell aslept in front the pc.