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Thursday, December 25, 2008

The Christmas to remember

All the many days of our lives sometimes you can't help but sit back and enjoy the moments you had with your friends and loved ones. Well for this Christmas that moment sure hit me.

Oh! before i forget MERRY CHRISTMAS ! hope you had a great Christmas. Alright ! now where were we ? right , why this Christmas was something to remember.

Well to start off , the midnight mass was delightful , we got to share the experience of Jesus's birth, the joy of sharing presents and importantly the sharing of hearts /good cheers ..oh maybe an occasion of a good tease too. haha , and hearts out to Mich Tan, Mich Phua and Gwen for getting us guys the really cool hats ! I was like Wowed ,at first thought you actually made it, imagine my surprise when you told me it wasn't hahaha . Simeon, the details on your hat are one to admire . hahhahaha!!!

Then we headed to RK to eat for supper! And after that we made our long long trip to Michelle's house ( Michelle , u are totally right , we would have gotten there earlier if we walked faster , right? haha did you see the guys face when we told them we walked? haha ) Oh, the first thing that i noticed about Michelle's home was how nice it looked ,yeah ,it may not be the biggest house in the neighbourhood but the design esp the Windows sure was outstanding and inside her house it felt airy and cozy at the same time , perfect.

While at her house , cornerstones and the group sure had a great time ! we spent most of the night playing guitar hero and Mario cart on ps3 and wii. Sharing a few tease here and there we all had alot of laughs and cheers. You should have seen us playing Mario cart! we were like shouting at each other to move faster , poor friends who got 12th position , haha they got laughed at . lol ( oh and Hubert you are one fast learner , you nailed guitar hero really fast , like when we were heading home you were trying experts songs right? haha

The day kinda concluded after that cos we couldn't stand it anymore , tiredness won over us .haha . Like to thank Michelle for being a great host to us and to your family for the food . haha

Well ciao guys !

5:16 PM ; smile'

The Community

Not long ago an email was sent out to you guys about us being in a community and all ,Well this is the views shared by Mich and Claudia , do read them they are an insight to what each of us are thinking , ENJOY!

Hey cornerstones

Happy feast day! It has been a while since our group attended mass and i just want to say how nice it was to see us sitting in that row attending mass together like that.

Anyway this email is about something bishop nic said during the homily that i think really concerns us as a community. If i recall correctly he said something about community and that we must see each other as a brother and sister in order to facilitate a community. But how can we say he or she is a brother or sister if we dont know them and dont know whats going on in their lifes? like seeing a community member for years and yet not know a thing of the person, can we really say he/she is a brother/sister? (sorry, may not be exactly what he said cause i was drifting in and out of sleep while he was talking but its along the lines, thanks Mich phua for trying to keep hubert and me awake)

It kinda dawned on me that Bishop nic might have a point here.It brought about a few questions.Like do we really know each other as a brother and sister? and What can we do for our group that will not only benefit cornerstones but show the rest of the members who we really are?

Well these are some questions to ponder on cause the next few weeks many of us wont be around.So i guess this would be a good way to get us to think of god and the group while we are enjoying ourselves haha? treat it like a session, just that .....its online. haha

So what do you think? whats on your mind? haha hope to get your reply , i can compile everyone's sharing and opinion and send out another email. cheers!

BY MICH TAN

Hellos,

Welllll as I told you, I'm not really sure what else to say, except that I totally agree with everything you said. (And I guess that's why a lot of people haven't replied too!)

I think although we always say we wanna be a community (and not a ministry), we have never really been a community in the full sense of the word. That is perhaps because we have never really understood what it means to be community/ we have forgotten what we were told when Cornerstone was first formed.

However, I also think that once there is greater understanding of what community is (hopefully our dec retreat will achieve that!), and we all consciously work towards achieving that, Cornerstone can truly become the community we hope to be. That is of course provided that this is in fact what we all want- a group of brothers and sisters in Christ, sincerely interested in each others' lives, and each others' relationships with God.

Ookay I've got to rush off now. I hope that was coherent. Thanks for doing this (:

BY Claudia

hello aloysious! im sorry for this super late reply due to my packed schedule. hahah ! anyway, i feel so upset that i seem to be missing out on sessions and meetups with corner stone): although i did not have the fortune of attending that particular mass. however, those probing questions did start the ball rolling in my mind, so thank you ! anyway, i think it's really true. a community is really vital in ensuring the growth of the group. although cornerstone might meet for sessions like once a week? but it is usually only about a couple of hours? moreover, we might be close to only a few particular individuals within cornerstone? yet.... i doubt so everybody is close to everybody ?? you know what i mean ? i feel that a community can only truly experience meaningful and progressive growth if everybody is familiar and is comfortable with everybody in the group ? in that way, it will be easier to share our individual problems and situations and experiences with one another as we have trust and faith in each other. therefore, i do suggest more bonding sessions if possible for that is the only way in which i can currently think of that could help in closing the distance between everybody.

i feel that everything happens for a reason and that everybody in cornerstone joined for a reason-to grow together in faith!! i believe that if we are able to see each other as true brothers and sisters, the growth of cornerstone would be very optimistic. The fact that we are sharing the same faith and the obvious enthusiasm of wanting to know more about god and his kingdom already show that we are heading towards the same direction which is rather encouraging, i must say for noone is alone in his/her journey of faith! ((: thank the lord for blessing me with the gift of knowing cornerstone !!((:

that's what i feel, aloysious! hopefully, it'll be of use!! hahahah thanks for that email !!! cheers to god and cornerstone (:

5:00 PM ; smile'

Friday, December 19, 2008

The duty of music

When music fails to agree to the ear.To soothe the ear and the heart and the senses then it has missed its point.

Couldn't agree with this more. Was just at a concert not long ago at Victoria concert hall, my church choir had combined with other choirs to dish out one of the best choir concerts i heard. It was really surprising to see friends sing so well , so professionally. haha Thanks guy , you made Christmas carols come early this year. The atmosphere and the magical voices certain manage to hit the ears, hearts and senses of the people tonight. However the highlight in today's entry was what was printed on the walls of this hall.

Which brings back to the whole point of this entry, Music , what is the essence of music ? Well maria callas music has to achieve the set rules that it must hit essentially our soul.But what do u think?

For me , i see it as sub-conscience brought to our attention. Maria has made us awareness of something i see we do every time we listen to a piece of music. think , what do u do ?
if you ha vent notice , we listen to whether it touches us ear, heart and soul . Maybe you haven't think so deep about it or you think this is a "duh" thing . But reflect over it, be aware of yourself cos you might find a thing or 2 about myself. Like in my case, i learnt that my appreciate of music usually stems from a reflection of myself at the time I'm listening to it , for instance i feel really really high , then my taste will lean towards beatty hip hop or r&b but on a more lay back atmosphere emo songs usually fit my case. See? haha

11:20 PM ; smile'

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

The dash

Well hope you manage to watch the video above .Its a very sweet yet inspiring clip about that little dash we see on a tombstone inbetween dates.It says that on the tombstone its that dash between the dates that really matters for our lives because it represent the journey we had from cradle to grave. The video also adds that life within that dash has so much meaning then the material attachments in life , its about living a life you want to remember through things that are real, things that will be with you when you die.But what really interest me is that the slides showed a thing or two on how to do it and essential showings us to a better purpose in life.

These values are really important to us, as for the author its that little dash. It keeps us alive in the steps we take to the next-life and it is the cornerstone of our behavior, it is governed by the different propective we have on our life and what we do to it.So maybe you should consider your life and reflect, what are your values ? are they going to be the ink that draws, shape and determine the dash on our dates on the tombstone?

Have a think about it and let me leave you with a little something Esther brought up from the author of the dash.

However, I must say that I am who I am. I am not a counselor. I am not an advisor. I am a poet who had a particular insight into life which somehow created a worldwide, for lack of a better word, "awareness." I am very proud of that accomplishment and have received thousands of calls and emails about what my poem has meant to people. I receive emails and calls every single day. It has been almost inconceivable to me. But, as I mentioned, I am who I am. I let a curse word slip every now and then. I have a beer or two with friends at times and I don't go to church nearly as often as I should. But the fact is, I ALWAYS try to treat others with kindness and respect.

That is one of the messages that I tried to convey in The Dash poem. Living a dash that you can be proud of doesn't mean trying to be perfect and changing yourself to fit the mold of what people tend to think of as a "good" person. To me, it means doing the best you can every day to live a life which may someday allow you to leave behind a legacy of kindness, and laughter. I try to think every day of what people will remember of me, should I not see tomorrow. Someone once said, if you want to know how to live your life, think about what you want people to say about you when you're gone, and live backwards. That is a great strategy.

12:21 AM ; smile'

Saturday, December 13, 2008

1) The person that tag/pass me this is?
-Esther

2) The relationship between him/her is?
- Good friend.

3) Your 5 expression of him/her is?
-great to chat with
-insightful
-down to earth
-nice smile
-treasures friendship

4) Most memorable things he/she done for u?
-This year she invited me to a concert in school and had a wonderful night with her and friends

5) Most memorable thing he/she said to u?
- A “Yah” then a smile

6) If he/she becomes ur lover, things he/she has to improve on?
-Nothing at all…everyone isn’t perfect but she is just right

7) If he/she becomes ur enemy, u will?
- Well can’t be helped can it?

8) What is the thing u want to tell him/her now?
- May our friendship always last LOL hope to chat soon again

9) Your overall impression of him/her?
- Company for any occasion

10) How do u think ppl around u thing about u?
- Slow in situations, blur but occasional of bight moments

11) The character u love about urself?
-being able to understand

12) On the contrary, the character u hate about urself?
- not knowing how to handle situations at times

13) The most ideal person u want to be is?
- For myself, the best I can be

14) For people who cares n like u, say something to them
-Thank you for leaving a foot print in my life, each and everyone of you has taught me something about life and our friendship and love together has really taken us far, over all obstacles in our way. Appreciate it all.

15) Pass this to 10 person that u want to know how they feel about u
1) Esther (since she tagged me)
2) Jasmine
3) Kelvin
4) Ridwan
5) Swee ting
6) Wendy
7) Shi ya
8) Nrl
9) Aishah
10) espall

16) Who is no.6 (Wendy) having relationship with?
- No one at the moment

17) Is no.9 (Aishah) a female or male?
- Female.

18) If no.7 (Shi ya) and no.10 (Espall) be together, will it be a good thing?
- Not sure , but they are great friends, they are meeting in France soon

19) What is no.2 (Jasmine) studying about?
- HOSPI AND RESORT MANAGEMENT , man if I didn’t know this she will definitely come box me the next day ( oh , I have your thumb drive Jas, Mon give u back)

20) When was the last time u chat with no.3 (Kelvin)?
- Yesterday, "kel ppl behinds us in the concert like dogs right?"

21) Wat kind of music does no.8 (Nurul) like?
- sometimes French , sometimes English but it has to have a smoothing beat

22) Does no.1 (Esther) has siblings?
- Yes.

23) Will u woo no.3 (Kelvin)?
- HELL NO!

24) How about no.7 (Shi ya)?
- Nope

25) Is no.4 (ridwan) single?
- Yes , with a capital y

26) Wat is the surname of no.5 (Swee ting )?
- Yap

27) Wat is the hobby of no.10 (Espall)?
- Don’t think she has one , unless you count singing

28) Does no.5 (Swee) and no.9 (Aishah) get along well?
- not bad I guess

29) Where is no.2 (Jas) studying at?
- NYP

30) Talk something about no.1 (Esther)
- Haha , she has a blog too , click Esther at the links

31) Have u tried developing feelings for no. 8 (nrl)?
- Nope

33) Where does no.9 (Aishah) stay?
- Jurong

34) Does no.1 (Esther) have pets?
- No , but she would probably want a dog ( you’re Esther I don’t have pets )

35) Is no.7 (Shi ya) the sexiest person on earth?
- she has standards

36) Wat is no.1 (Esther) doing now??
- Out with her mom I think , are u ?

3:54 PM ; smile'

Friday, December 5, 2008

This post is about the undenying consequences of limits

Now we all know about limits. We hear it constantly in cliche phrases like " Not going over the line" , " Know your where you stand" and " There is a fine line" . You see its almost everywhere, people being classified and organized by their personal limits in their character,society upholding this invisible cup of consistent economics and human physic itself is the constant reminder that everything has a threshold that should never be explored.

But what if you do? what if had to cross to that place where everyone has deemed as no mans land?

a whole lot of pain or a overwhelming victory .

9:48 AM ; smile'