The Life of John

Blogging Topics

2011-07-19T13:52:00.001+08:00

Hmmm, just had lunch with a friend who suggested that I started blogging first, worry about topics later. Ie getting into a habit first. I guess I need to do this to build a discipline.

Too often I spend more time worrying about what u should write about and not enough time doing the actual writing.

Let's see. What are some topics I can write about?

1. Toastmasters
A. My own experience
B. Details and updates
C. Things I learnt

2. Books
A. Book reviews
B. Book recommendations
C. What I learnt from books

3. Work / Life
A. Achieving balance
B. Making friends

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Location:Office

Reviving the blog again!

2011-05-24T13:42:00.001+08:00

It has been months since I wrote here. Decided to change the content abit. Not sure what should it be based on. Maybe I should start one on personal learnings. Hmmm

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Office

Our NewBorn Baby Girl!

2009-03-31T11:11:00.002+08:00

Ahh, dear wifey have gone through labour (I was there too), and we finally meet our beloved daughter, Christine Cheah Shin Pei! Isn't she cute? More photos should be coming up soon... now just allowing her to get used to life on earth, where she needs to get used to sounds of people talking, coolingness of rain, heat from the day, etc....

Relapse of Eye Injury after 4 months

2009-03-12T23:30:00.002+08:00

As you all know, I cut my eye (cornea abrasion) last October as I was careless enough to be drying my hair with my specs on. I inadvertently knocked my specs into my eye (ouch!) and cut my cornea.

I thought it healed, but apparently not completely, as last Friday the pain came again. Apparently again, I was supposed to continue applying the lubricant to my eye, which I stopped once the medication finished 3 months ago. A few days ago, my eye looked like this:

I could not open my eye for a few days. Thankfully, friends helped (Hsien Ling especially). We were sent to THONEH (Tun Hussien Onn National Eye Hospital) and the doctor prescribed more gel to be administered to the eye.

Now the pain has gone and I am back at work. Though my vision is still a little blurry, I hope it is getting better. Going for follow up check tomorrow.

BLC Council Installation 2009 - 2011

2009-03-11T00:57:00.003+08:00

1st post in a long long time... let me start with this...

A memorable day ... 1st March 2009, when a whole group of us were installed as BLC Council for the next term of 2 years.....

Wow! Plenty to do... and need lots of prayers!

Happy CHinese New Year 2006!

2006-01-26T20:26:00.000+08:00

Hello all, it has been almost half a year since I have written anything here. Guess just want to wish everyone a Gong Xi Fa Cai!

Been thinking about writing as a hobby, later maybe do it as a part time thing... have been encouraged to start writing about food first, since its my favourite topic....

Also asked to start by doing a Blog on either Food Reviews or Book Reviews.... been thinking and contem,plating but never actually doing anything yet!

I have also been tagged!!!

2005-08-17T19:17:00.000+08:00

From David Berry, that is.... so here goes...

1. The number of books I have..... say approximately 500 real books (paper) and about 250 soft copy books (pdf or Microsoft Reader)...

2. The last book I bought... "The Secrets of the Da Vinci Code" by Dan Burstein

3. The last book I read... A Generous Orthodoxy (by Brian Mclaren)

4. Five books that mean a lot to me...
a. "A New King of Christian" trilogy by Brian Mclaren (even though I am reading the last one now)
b. Lord of the Rings trilogy by JRR Tolkien
c. The "Bourne" trilogy by Robert Ludlum
d. The "Crystal Shard" trilogy by RA Salvatore
e. The Chronicles trilogy from Dragon Lance by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman

5. As I do not know how to "tag" people, I guess I just have to end here...

Cheers...

Long Time No Write

2005-08-09T00:42:00.000+08:00

Wow its been so long since I last posted something....

This is basically about BLC's 5th Anniversary Celebration that just passed last Saturday night... it was a wonderful experience with Good Friends, Goood Memories, Good Food, and Good Experiences....

Just wanna remember all the people that came... and want to commit them all to the Lord for bringing them to BLC and into my life in one way or another...

Hope to see you all again... did not have much chance to chat as I was running around... gotta learn to slow down... don't wanna end up being like Martha, whom was only concerned with the activities and not about the reason for the celebration... Jesus!

2005-06-24T00:51:00.000+08:00

Took a test by BBC given by Sivin,

Enterprising
Your results suggest that Enterprising type work might suit your interests and preferences.
Enterprising types like persuading and influencing people as well as controlling, managing and selling to them. They like to take a lead and are often quite motivated and ambitious but may be impatient and can find rules and detail frustrating. They tend to favour roles such as salesperson, manager, estate agent, supervisor, lawyer, advertising or marketing executive and often like positions that have status and prestige.

Social
Your results suggest that Social type work might suit your interests and preferences.
Social types like roles that focus on helping, teaching or supporting others and very much prefer working with people to working with things or ideas. They tend to prefer working in teams and like to feel they are doing something useful. Typical roles for social types include teacher, counsellor, nurse, minister of religion, clinical psychologist or police officer.

Investigative
Your results suggest that Investigative type work might suit your interests and preferences.
Investigative types prefer thinking to action, they like working with information and may prefer working with ideas rather than with people. They tend to like jobs in which they can research, analyse and solve problems (or come up with new problems!) and prefer using their brains to their interpersonal skills. Typical roles that suit Investigative types are scientist, engineer, laboratory worker, computer programmer, pharmacist and vet.

Realistic
Your results suggest that Realistic type work is less likely to suit your interests.
Realistic types generally prefer action to words, they like physical activity and may prefer working with things to working with people. They tend to favour jobs where they can work with their hands or produce things, and often like outdoor work. Typical roles that suit Realistic types are gardener, mechanic, driver, electrician, farmer, sportsperson, skilled trades, labourers and some engineering and military roles.

I guess I am quite muddled in my answers :)

2005-06-14T21:51:00.000+08:00

Did a personality test provided by Sivin

Your answers suggest you are a Supervisor
The four aspects that make up this personality type are:

"Planner" - "Facts" - "Heads" - "Extrovert"

Summary of Supervisors
Bring order to their home and work life
Like to act on clear, achievable goals
Think of themselves as stable, practical and sociable
May be irritated when people don't follow procedures
More about Supervisors
Supervisors like to make plans, organise people and get things done efficiently. They are natural administrators who dislike chaos and strive to bring order to every aspect of their lives. Supervisors like jobs where the goals are clearly defined and there are proven work methods in place.

Supervisors are most likely to say they prefer a job which involves a series of separate projects, according to a UK survey.
Supervisors use logic to solve problems and believe in being open and direct in their communications with others. They prefer to work and socialise with like-minded people.

In situations where they can't use their talents or are unappreciated, Supervisors may reject the opinions of others and insist they are right. Under extreme stress, Supervisors may feel cut off from the people around them and lose confidence in their own ability to cope.

Because they like to take charge and organise activities, others may find Supervisors too bossy.

My Star Wars Name & Title....

2005-05-21T01:17:00.000+08:00

Got this from David...

Your Star Wars Name and Title

Your Star Wars Name: Johch Ngkua

Your Star Wars Title: Haestr of Efiw

Your Star Wars Name and Title

What My Birthday Means....

2005-05-21T01:09:00.000+08:00

Got this from Sivin....

Your Birthdate: September 27

Your birth on the 27th day of the month (9 energy) adds a tone of selflessness and humanitarianism to your life path.
Certainly, you are one who can work very well with people, but at the same time you need a good bit of time to be by yourself to rest and meditate.
There is a very humanistic and philanthropic approach in most of things that you do.

This birthday helps you be broadminded, tolerant, generous and very cooperative.
You are the type of person who uses persuasion rather than force to achieve your ends.
You tend to be very sensitive to others' needs and feelings, and you able to give much in the way of friendship without expecting a lot in return.

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

What Am i Inclined to?

2005-04-13T23:45:00.000+08:00

Tried this test from Messy Christian...this is my result:

Rank
Item Percent
1: Eastern Orthodox (100%)
2: Anglican/Episcopal/Church of England (89%)
3: Lutheran (84%)
4: Presbyterian/Reformed (84%)
5: Roman Catholic (82%)
6: Baptist (Reformed/Particular/Calvinistic) (64%)
7: Methodist/Wesleyan/Nazarene (61%)
8: Anabaptist (Mennonite/Quaker etc.) (58%)
9: Congregational/United Church of Christ (58%)
10: Pentecostal/Charismatic/Assemblies of God (58%)
11: Church of Christ/Campbellite (53%)
12: Baptist (non-Calvinistic)/Plymouth Brethren/Fundamentalist (48%)
13: Seventh-Day Adventist (25%)

I am quite what I am.... :)

Golf!... More Opportunities, I hope!

2005-04-01T17:07:00.000+08:00

I am sooo excited today, will be joining a few of my department managers to play golf at the driving range this evening....first time, also may have opportunities to have more conversations on life, Christianity, etc....May the Lord lead and may friendships be stronger.

Denominations

2005-03-31T18:03:00.000+08:00

It's strange how my conversations at office these few days seem to revolve around denominations.

Actually, we have charismatics, Methodists, Lutherans, Catholics, etc at the office. As different as we are, I shared my dream with them to unite us all together. There may be some 'bad blood' or 'not so fine' experiences in the past, but all sides should put the past behind, remember what brings us together, and not focus on what sets us apart.

This, I believe, is not 'sweeping things under the carpet', but more towards building relationships based on our common love for God and hope in Christ, and what He has done for us, not what/how we are doing things for Him.

"Unity in the midst of Diversity".... the motto I am trying to share at work ....

Back to the Flowerpot

2005-02-19T00:06:00.000+08:00

I have been spending more time at the Edge of Bangsar
lately that I have not had time to dig more into the flowerpot....
SO here's continuing a bit into a book I was reading previously - The Measure of a Man by Gene Getz....

1 Timothy 3:2-4 itself has so many characteristics that Paul advised Timothy to be:- as an effective man of God...

above reproach - good reputation
husband of one wife - morally pure
temparate - well balanced
prudent - wise
respectable - adorning the Gospel of Christ
hospitable - being open to help
able to teach - teachable
not addicted to wine - avoiding over indulgence
gentle - fair minded
uncontentious - peacemaker
free from the love of money - generous
manages his household well - reflecting our heavenly father
keeping his children in control with dignity - "

wow! with the grace of God, I pray for all the men I know, including and especially myself, that we can be molded into whom He wants us to become...with the characteristics of Jesus, slowly and steadily of course, in His time....

After another try....I am a hobbit!!!

2005-02-07T22:03:00.000+08:00

You're The Hobbit!

by J.R.R. Tolkien

All you wanted was a nice cup of tea when some haggard crazy old man
came into your life and told you it was time to do something with yourself. Now you're
all conflicted about whether to stick with your stay-at-home lifestyle or follow this
crazy person into the wild. While you're very short and a little furry, you seem to be
surrounded by an even greater quantity of short folks lately. Try not to lose your ring,
but keep its value in perspective!

Take the Book Quiz
at the Blue Pyramid.

I think this is more like it.....:) I have my own interpretation of it....once I am done, will put it out...thanks David for asking me to try again.... :)

2005-02-07T18:31:00.000+08:00

You're Anne of Green Gables!

by L.M. Montgomery

Bright, chipper, vivid, but with the emotional fortitude of cottage
cheese, you make quite an impression on everyone you meet. You're impulsive, rash,
honest, and probably don't have a great relationship with your parents. People hurt
your feelings constantly, but your brazen honestly doesn't exactly treat others with
kid gloves. Ultimately, though, you win the hearts and minds of everyone that matters.
You spell your name with an E and you want everyone to know about it.

Take the Book Quiz
at the Blue Pyramid.

Am I really like that???? What do you think?

Back to Work in KL and Back to Serve at BLC

2005-02-07T18:18:00.000+08:00

After a long 1 and a 1/2 week break (MC from the OP) , I am back to work again, not many days, though, due to the Chinese New Year holidays approaching again.

As I was newly elected to be Council Member for 2005, I will be spending the week in deep thought, on how to serve as best as I can in the capacity that has been given to me, using as much as I can, the gifts that has been given to me, with the grace that has been shown to me....

Planning to read up on what I need to learn, and trying to streamline as many processes as possible, to ease administration and to be able channel more time and resources to other efforts.

Pray for the council as we deliberate and plan, for the glory of God.

How My Op Went

2005-01-23T13:44:00.000+08:00

Wow, it has been a tough 5 days.... though initially that it would be a simple op....

For those who don't know, sorry for did not informing earlier.....

I went for a tonsil extraction and nose channel clearing on the 19th, last Wed.

The day went roughly like this:

7am: Warded into Sunway Medical Centre.
8am: Was put on some sleeping pills....felt slightly drowsy
9.30am: Wheeled into operating theatre to wait
approx 10.30am: put on operating table....give some anasthetic....and KNOCKED out!

approx 12.30pm: woke up with a terrible SORE Throat and blocked nose

For the rest of Wed and Thurs, had to breathe through my mouth as my nose was completely blocked with tubes and gauze, to stop bleeding of nose clearing op (called "cauterisation" or something). My throat was so dry and painful, it was a miserable two days.

Well, the presence of wife, SS and my parents, in laws and brothers helped very much, also the appearence of good friends.....

On Friday morn, I thought I was able to be discharged, but after the doctor removed the gauze from my nose, we discovered there was still bleeding.... had to stuff it with more gauze and extended one more day for observation.

Anyway, I am back home now but still partially bed ridden, and cannot speak much yet, still groggy and on medication...... and on a very strict "soft diet".

Thank you all for your well wishes again. Hope to be well on my feet again in a week or so....

Thanks to all

2005-01-23T13:41:00.000+08:00

Dear all,
Thanks so much for all your prayers, well wishes, and surprise visits at the hospital.
For those that came, Sivin & family, Anna, Poh Lyn, Eric, and my family that stuck by me.... I love you all....:)

You made my ordeal so much more bearable.

To those in LG, thanks for your prayers, appreciate it VERY much, guys!

Operation OPERATION!

2005-01-18T18:15:00.000+08:00

Tomorrow, I should be going for my tonsilitis operation..... just a minor surgery, many tell me, but I guess unconsciously, I am a bit anxious about the whole thing....healthwise, it should help me have a healthier life..... I can get a bit of rest as well..... just want to lift this up to God....

Pray for me yah?

Will update once I am done.... :)

1st LIFE Group Meet 2005

2005-01-13T21:25:00.000+08:00

Yesterday was the first meeting for Giving Tree LIFE Group from BLC for 2005.... last week we did not meet due to Tsunami Aid Day that we had on Saturday....had a fun meet....

Paul and Joanne joined us, and all of us were there.....

We had a fun time remembering what we have learnt from the books of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy from 2004....then we did a quick recap of the main themes in the 5 books by going through the book "See Through the Scriptures" by Harry Wendt.... really refreshing was to start 2005 as we looked at the Word and also encouraged one another to read and dig into the Word of God....looking forward to a great year ahead....

God bless....

End of 2004

2004-12-31T14:49:00.000+08:00

As we go through the last day of 2004, I look back at the year and smile and sigh at the same time... there were good times, and bad times..... for me the best and the worst happened in December.... my wedding to SS was in December.... and the biggest natural disaster in South East Asia in 40 years happened in the form of an earthquake off the western Sumatran coast, causing tsunami tidal waves crashing into coastal cities and islands, killing, to date, almost a hundred thousand lives..... happiness and sadness, opposites ... yet the existance of one causes the other to be less impactful.....

One thing I learn from all these..... life cannot be taken for granted or taken too lightly.... there is meaning in life... we have to find it quick, lest you feel that life is not worth living.... as for me, I found meaning in being a family member of Jesus Christ, whom have called me to be adopted into His family... and I thank God I found the purpose of life.... or else, I will be questioning very harshly "how can all these happen?"

So go, look for the meaning in life, I have found it, you may want to look in the same direction... it's up to you..... God bless you in your search....

Happy New Year!!!

Long But Memorable December - Thanks

2004-12-30T09:45:00.000+08:00

It has been a long and busy December...actually, November was quite packed as well. Just want to use this post to thank everyone whom has helped in some way or another for me and SS's wedding 3 weeks ago. Couldn't have done it without your help. Pls accept our heartiest gratitude and thanks:

Pst Sivin: For officiating our ceremony and for ongoing advice and support;
Pst Chan: For registering us;
Kevin and Olivia: For coordinating everything for us;
Andy and Hoong Guit (and Susan and Shereen): For coordinating reception, ushers and guests;
James and Chin Hor: For capturing the event;
Adam: For being a wonderful Page Boy ("Ring Bearer");
Kirsten: For being a wonderful Flower girl;
Ben, Ee Lyn, James, Paul: For a wonderful worship session;
David and Sigrun: For a memorable reading of Scripture;
Daniel and Su Ling: For your prayer support;
Isaac: For slide presentation and Best Man;
Eric, Calvin, Derrick, James, Vincent, Shih Chung: For your support as Heng Tai;
Yee Sum: For being a wonderful Bridesmaid to SS;
Hsien Ling, Poh Lyn and Esther: For a beautiful dance performance;
Olivia and Seng Joo: For being wonderful MCs;
Derrick: For presenting a wonderful speech.....

And to anyone else whom I may have missed out.... pls let me know....

Will write again....

Change of Blogsite, and some random thoughts

2004-11-01T19:33:00.000+08:00

Sob!Sob!
Due to unforseen circumstances, the "Hlls of John" blog is down.... for good.....

I guess I take this as God telling me to stop for a while.... come down from the hills, and go down into the nitty gritty of life and do His work. Instead of merely looking at different points of view of situations, I have to "take action", i.e. getting my hands dirty. Let me illustrate:

LIFE Group has recently and still is studying "Ordinary Attempts".... a short course to help us make conversations.... to get to know peple better, to really make friendships, and build relationships.

I guess this is what it is all about. Not just merely fulfilling our "duty" by blatantly sharing the Gospel (of course, that is the main objective), but to be truely concerned and involved in the mission that God has called us to do, to care as Jesus cared, to be the friend that we have been calledto be.

Recently, just finished a book called "The Art of Sharing your Faith". Contributed by many authors, I learnt to live out the Gospel, to look for opportunities, to live as Jesus lived, etc.

Makes me live the week with more focused direction.

The People Around You

2004-10-07T21:23:00.000+08:00

As I sit in my cubicle....typing away here on my laptop, I can hear the voices of the people around me.... 6 months ago, they were my new colleagues.... now as time passes, they have become closer, more dear to me....I pray that I have been a difference (positive, I hope) and that I can continue to be.....

For the past few days, I have been staying back quite late, and as my colleagues became stressed due to imminent datelines, I hope I will remain sane, that while I cannot help them in their work, (different job scope from mine), I hope to be an encouragement....

Makes me realise that in the midst of adversity, God will provide a refuge, in some form or other... we just need to have faith and trust and obey......

2004-10-02T18:51:00.000+08:00

Hi, I am John!

The Measure of A Man (Part 1)

2004-09-30T19:40:00.000+08:00

Ummm, decided to stop the Lord of The Rings thingy for a while and go to a book I just bought recently from http://paylessbooks.com.my/index.asp , "The Measure of A Man" by Gene Getz.

There are 20 qualities that Paul the apostle writes to Timothy and Titus in his letters to them, which are essential for men to have....they are in the 20 chapters of the book:

1. Faithful
2. Good Reputation
3. Moral Purity
4. Maintaining Balance
5. Wisdom
6. Adorning the Gospel
7. A Cup of Cold Water (Hospitable)
8. Able to Teach
9. Avoiding Overindulgence
10. Overcoming Self Centredness
11. Don't Let The Sun Go Down (Controlled Anger)
12. Never resort to violence
13. Fair minded
14. Peacemaker
15. Generous
16. Reflecting Our Heavenly Father
17. Loving What is Good
18. Just and Fair
19. Lifting Up Holy Hands
20. Disciplined

Sounds like a lot of work.... God willing, we men can live our lives filled with the above qualities...

Book Review: Lord of the Rings (Part 1)

2004-09-23T20:13:00.000+08:00

Since this is one of my favourite books, I want to try and go into the details for The Fellowship of the Ring.....
(from my memory)
Places:- The Shire, Bree, Old Forest, Rivendell, Lothorien, ....cannot remember

People:- Bilbo, Frodo, Sam, Merry, Pippin, Gandalf, Tom Bombadil, Strider, Gimli, Legolas, Boromir, Elrond, Arwen, ......

Summary:- Frodo was entrusted to bring the Ring to Rivendell, for the Council to decide on who is to bring the ring to Mount Doom, to be destroyed. As the group of Hobbits go to Rivendell, they go through hazards along the way.... and when they reach Rivendell, the following people were chosen (reasons in brackets):

1. Gandalf (as advisor);
2. Aragorn/Strider (no reason apparent);
3. Gimli son of Gloin (representing Dwarves);
4. Legolas son of Thranduil (representing Elves);
5. Boromir (representing Man);
6. Frodo (volunteered to carry the Ring);
7. Sam (will not leave Frodo);
8. Merry (want to go with their kin, on adventure); and
9. Pippin (want to go with their kin, on adventure).

Interesting Thoughts:-
(Since this may be very long, it will warrant another post)

Till then, I will go back and review LOTR before I come back on this....

Wedding Preparation Pot (Part 2)

2004-09-22T19:18:00.000+08:00

As my wedding draws closer, I am getting more and more excited.... however, there are still sooo many things to do.... I thank God for these things:
1. He gave me the hind sight to plan early;
2. He gave me good friends whom were so happy and willing to be a part of the wedding... preparations and actual event itself....; and
3. An understanding fiance, whom tolerates me and accepts me through the times when I was moody, frustrated, anxious, etc....

By looking at how things are going, time is moving extremely fast.... while I thought there was still plenty of time... I am actually down to the last few months..... I need the prayers of my friends and family....

I am extremely thankful to my church, Bangsar Lutheran Church for the support that everyone is showing us.... and how they actually exhibit the grace and love of God to us.

The Beginning of A New Blog

2004-09-21T19:19:00.000+08:00

Wow, didn't know need to create a whole blog just to get the address to put comments on a blogger site.
Anyway, decided to write a bit here.

You might wonder, why "Flowerpot John"?

This is a blog that will "Look into the Nitty Gritty of Life"... where I will try to explore, hopefully, details of stuff in life.... anything from life situations, to work, to books, to Christian issues, etc.

Let's see, what shall I look at first?

I think I will start by digging into the pot of "Wedding preparation".
Do you know, there are soo many things to think about and prepare for in order to get married nowadays. This list is purely mine, in no particular order and is not exhaustive.

1. Booking a restaurant/hotel for the dinner;
2. Choosing a dinner menu based on your budget and also what you think others will like;
3. Deciding on beverages (alcohol? Non alcohol?);
4. Deciding on food (vegetarian, kosher, environmental);
5. Choosing a Church/Hall;
6. Getting invitation cards printed;
7. Choosing a Bridal House to take your wedding album;
8. Going through the photo session;
9. Preparing a preliminary guest list;
10. Looking for a wedding car (and driver);
11. Getting a fitting for your suit and having it made (not to mention looking for a tailor before that)
12. Deciding on decorations in the Church, hotel, at home;
13. Choose wedding songs and a music team to play the songs;
14. Master of Ceremonies for dinner;
15. Coordinator for ceremony;
16. Scripture reader for ceremony;
17. Page boy and flower girl and their clothes;
18. Best man and maid of honor and their clothes,
19. Ushers and registration;
20. Slide/photo presentation;
21. Refreshments for the ceremony;
22. Videographer and photographer;
23. Planning for honeymoon;
24. Planning a place to stay after the wedding;
25. Flowers for the flower girl;
26. Wedding rings;
27. etc

Sorry, cannot think anymore.... will continue in the next post