The way I interpret this song is very different - There's a reason for this world, Lord- It's You and I.
The Riddle
Band: Five For Fighting
Song: The Riddle
Album: Two Lights
There was a man back in '95
Whose heart ran out of summers
But before he died, I asked him
Wait, what's the sense in life
Come over me, Come over me
He said,
"Son why you got to sing that tune
Catch a Dylan song or some eclipse of the moon
Let an angel swing and make you swoon
Then you will see... You will see."
Then he said,
"Here's a riddle for you
Find the Answer
There's a reason for the world
You and I..."
Picked up my kid from school today
Did you learn anything cause in the world today
You can't live in a castle far away
Now talk to me, come talk to me
He said,
"Dad I'm big but we're smaller than small
In the scheme of things, well we're nothing at all
Still every mother's child sings a lonely song
So play with me, come play with me"
And Hey Dad,
Here's a riddle for you
Find the Answer
There's a reason for the world
You and I...
I said,
"Son for all I've told you
When you get right down to the
Reason for the world...
Who am I?"
There are secrets that we still have left to find
There have been mysteries from the beginning of time
There are answers we're not wise enough to see
He said... You looking for a clue I Love You free...
The batter swings and the summer flies
As I look into my angel's eyes
A song plays on while the moon is hiding over me
Something comes over me
I guess we're big and I guess we're small
If you think about it man you know we got it all
Cause we're all we got on this bouncing ball
And I love you free
I love you freely
Here's a riddle for you
Find the Answer
There's a reason for the world
You and I...
* tRUST & OBey the LORD *
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Surfs Up and the Big Z
I loveeeee Surfs Up~!!!!! If you want to know how much I admire Joram, watch this show. He is like Big Z to me. I can really identify with Cody and Sheila.
I remember that time Cody said, "I already lost one dad, I'm not going to lose another one." That part was quite deep. But it's strange, though.. he did have a father, didn't he?
I so love the camera angles and the concept of interviewing them.. and then the part where Sheila threw the stone at the camera.. haha.. that was SO cool~! It really hit the hammer on the nail there..
Oh, oh,.. and I so like the chicken- Joe.. he is like.. everything also, "Dude, dude.." haha... I love him,... he is so cool and all that.
You know that part when Cody was sent to Big Z for healing? You know, Cody stepped on something poky and poisonous and Big Z had to piss on it? Yeah, it reminds me a lot of the story Joram used to tell us about how he stepped on the poisonous jelly fish and how he called to his friends for help and they thought he was joking, then he lifted up his leg and they saw that the jelly fish was real and they all came and peed on it.. ewww. yeah, I know.. it's disgusting. It's something to do with alkaline and stuff.. like the pee is actually alkaline and the poison is acidic and they have to neutralize it.
Oh, and you know the beach on the other side? Yeah, that's so like the beach Aaron brought me to in Kuantan. It looks just like that and about that size. And only two of us were on that beach.. sitting on the log. And then in the show there is a log too.. And I really admire Big Z, the way he taught Cody to make the board and surf and all.. it's so Joram. It's like Joram teaching us how to have a relationship with God or worshipping. It's like we have to stop using our brain and learn to use our heart. It's all about having fun with God.
Oh, and you know that part where Sheila tells Cody in the shower that she was jealous of him? Yeah, I know how that feels, alright.. sometimes I get so jealous of Aaron because he gets to spend so much time with Joram. Joram like to go to his house and spends time with him.. Sigh.. I wish I was Aaron then, you know? The two of them are like inseparable, just like Cody and Big Z in the show, and I feel like Sheila sometimes. I wish that I was a guy.. maybe if I was a guy I would be able to spend more time with Big Z. I don't treat Joram like my uncle, but maybe I just treat him like my father or mentor.
Haha.. and you know that part where Big Z falls asleep and its like so hard to wake him up?? It's just like that with Joram,.. Hhaha.. and the part where Cody threw the pineapple and said, "Hey, Big Z, its breakfast time~!" and throws it at Big Z, and Big Z catches it.. hehe.. he's all about food too. It's like.. nothing can wake him up but food.
Oh, oh.. and the part where Cody made the board for the first time, and Big Z came and saw him doing a really bad job at it, and Big Z was holding a pineapple. And then Big Z looks at the camera with that naughty look, raising an eyebrow and signaling to the Camera.. haha.. that's so Joram- so so Joram.
I can't believe how they made a show that had a character that is so like Joram.. did the director like.. meet Joram before or something? And then Big Z asks Cody to put on those biscuits on his eyes.. hahahhaahhaha.. and said, "You want to look like Big Z, right?" ahahahhaha.. I love that part.. and Cody don't know what Big Z was up to.. so when he put the biscuits on, he looked just like Big Z, because Big Z has those two yellow circles on his eyes..hehe..
Oh, and you know that part where Big Z draws an 'X' on the beach and Cody lands exactly there? It's like Joram- he knows us more than we know ourselves sometimes. It's his prophetic gift that he can see right through us. In a way, he is just like my mum. I feel like I cannot hide anything from him, he can see it all- God will reveal it to him.
And I like that part in the ending where Cody was in the dangerous spiky place and Big Z was there to save him. It's like when you thought that Joram is never going to help you anymore because he says that he is in a new season, and then when you are in deep shit, Joram is always there for you and once again, he proves that his prophetic discernment is still as sharp as ever, and he draws an invisible 'X' and his 'X' never goes wrong.
Talking about 'X's, there was one part where Cody was getting the hang of it- after throwing the pineapple at Big Z who just woke up, Cody drew an 'X' and counted. By then, Cody learned so much from Big Z. It reminds me of myself, after spending time with Joram, I really learned a lot. Spending 10 minutes with him can teach me stuff that lasts me a lifetime. The stuff that he teaches me will get right into my bone, if you know what I mean- it gets right in.
I remember the time after Big Z landed on the 'X' Cody made for him, Big Z asked him, "So are you having fun?" and Cody says "Yes!" then Big Z says, "Good! Now let's start surfing." It's like what Joram always wanted to teach us.. loving God is the most important part in life. It is what life is all about.
And I like the part where after surfing the whole day, the three of them- Big Z, Cody and Sheila was lying down on their surf boards, just relaxing after everything, and Big Z says, "This is what life is all about." It's really soaking in the presence of God that is so peaceful and it's all you ever want to be. It reminds me of Xiying, and how much she loved soaking- she learned it from Joram too I guess.. not just Xiying but all the cf members, but especially Xiying- you should see her laptop, 'soaking this, soaking that..' man, she has a whole folder on soaking..
And then you know that part where they go into the tunnel? The wave is so big that it creates a tunnel, and I remember Big Z saying that it is like it's an experience you will never forget. It's like experiencing God. When your relationship with God is so intimate- it's something you will never want to forget- the intimacy, the closeness with God, when God is so real, you can touch Him.
And then Sheila teaches the kids how to surf- everything she learned was from Big Z. And I feel like Sheila many times, because now I teach my friends who spend time with me, and they are mostly young Christians or the older kids I teach in Sunday School, and I try to teach them what Joram teaches me- about God's love, what life is all about- having a relationship with God, intimacy with God- all that. And sometimes I think I utterly fail. Why do they keep drowning? Are they going to learn ANYTHING? Why is it so hard for them to get it?
And you know that part, that during the competition, Big Z was actually watching from behind? Yeah, sometimes I feel like that too.. Joram always says that he is not going to be there for me anymore, but he still cares somewhere from behind those bushes, making sure I don't kill myself through the things I go through in life.. all those boyfriends and all.
And the last part I liked was when everyone thought that Cody died and the beaver guy took Cody's surf board and started to auction it, and Big Z came from behind and took it, and the Beaver saw Big Z, it's just like when Joram comes back from Australia. It's like.. he's back?? No warning wan..
And then the part where Big Z didn't want to surf anymore.. and after the barbecue, he says, "you can go ahead if you want, but it's not for me anymore, those days are over." and then Sheila looks at Cody with that one-kind look. Big Z reminds me a lot of Joram when he didn't want to talk with us about spiritual things anymore.. he will say like, "My time is up, now I am moving into a new season where I just have to be alone by myself and God." It's a pity Big Z changed and Joram didn't. I guess that's why it's called a show- it's not real. But I know Joram's reasoning is true- maybe it IS a new season for him. It's a rather long season, though. And I think the old season will just remain as a show,.. The old season will never come back.
Oh, and you know what? Big Z plays the guitar too~! And he sings crappy songs,- just like Joram.. hehehee... and I love listening to his songs and his playing. But most of the time its Aaron who plays the guitar when they sing crappy songs. I like to listen to Joram's playing when it's not crappy songs.. It's so refreshing... I don't know how to say it.. I wish it would never end. I like Aaron's playing too.. he can really worship.. I tell you, his 'Magnificent' is the most original- you can never find it elsewhere- even Hillsongs can't beat him. I feel like asking him to sing one more time and record it.. so that it can last forever. What Xiying said of Aaron's playing is true.. he really connects with God and he sings with his whole heart like no one else in the room is around. When I hear him worship, I am just speechless. Aaron's playing and Joram's playing is totally different. Aaron is good at worshiping and Joram is good at ministering. Together, they make a great team.
And the pineapple in the show is more like erm,.. Seafood Spaghetti with Cabonara in real life or Roti Hawaii.. haha..
I feel like if I was Cody in the show, I would have felt like this island is where I belonged, and that this is the place I was meant to be in..
I like that part when Cody lost, and Big Z was with him and they were going back to land and Cody said, "I lost." and Big Z was like "So did I,.. c'mon loser, let's go home." That was so funny and really eye opening too.. It's true, its not about the winning, its about the surfing. At the end of the day, it's not about how many miracles happen or how many people were slain or how many people cried or how many churches you planted or how much you sacrificed for the ministry or how much time you spent in church- it's about how much you love God. In the end, this is the only thing that matters. In the throne room, most of the people sitting on the right hand of God are housewives, not pastors. Some pastors even go to hell. The most important thing in life is loving God.
Anyway, I'm SO going to get the dvd. This is my favourite show of all time~! =)
P/S: Joram is my Big Z~!
* tRUST & OBey the LORD *
I remember that time Cody said, "I already lost one dad, I'm not going to lose another one." That part was quite deep. But it's strange, though.. he did have a father, didn't he?
I so love the camera angles and the concept of interviewing them.. and then the part where Sheila threw the stone at the camera.. haha.. that was SO cool~! It really hit the hammer on the nail there..
Oh, oh,.. and I so like the chicken- Joe.. he is like.. everything also, "Dude, dude.." haha... I love him,... he is so cool and all that.
You know that part when Cody was sent to Big Z for healing? You know, Cody stepped on something poky and poisonous and Big Z had to piss on it? Yeah, it reminds me a lot of the story Joram used to tell us about how he stepped on the poisonous jelly fish and how he called to his friends for help and they thought he was joking, then he lifted up his leg and they saw that the jelly fish was real and they all came and peed on it.. ewww. yeah, I know.. it's disgusting. It's something to do with alkaline and stuff.. like the pee is actually alkaline and the poison is acidic and they have to neutralize it.
Oh, and you know the beach on the other side? Yeah, that's so like the beach Aaron brought me to in Kuantan. It looks just like that and about that size. And only two of us were on that beach.. sitting on the log. And then in the show there is a log too.. And I really admire Big Z, the way he taught Cody to make the board and surf and all.. it's so Joram. It's like Joram teaching us how to have a relationship with God or worshipping. It's like we have to stop using our brain and learn to use our heart. It's all about having fun with God.
Oh, and you know that part where Sheila tells Cody in the shower that she was jealous of him? Yeah, I know how that feels, alright.. sometimes I get so jealous of Aaron because he gets to spend so much time with Joram. Joram like to go to his house and spends time with him.. Sigh.. I wish I was Aaron then, you know? The two of them are like inseparable, just like Cody and Big Z in the show, and I feel like Sheila sometimes. I wish that I was a guy.. maybe if I was a guy I would be able to spend more time with Big Z. I don't treat Joram like my uncle, but maybe I just treat him like my father or mentor.
Haha.. and you know that part where Big Z falls asleep and its like so hard to wake him up?? It's just like that with Joram,.. Hhaha.. and the part where Cody threw the pineapple and said, "Hey, Big Z, its breakfast time~!" and throws it at Big Z, and Big Z catches it.. hehe.. he's all about food too. It's like.. nothing can wake him up but food.
Oh, oh.. and the part where Cody made the board for the first time, and Big Z came and saw him doing a really bad job at it, and Big Z was holding a pineapple. And then Big Z looks at the camera with that naughty look, raising an eyebrow and signaling to the Camera.. haha.. that's so Joram- so so Joram.
I can't believe how they made a show that had a character that is so like Joram.. did the director like.. meet Joram before or something? And then Big Z asks Cody to put on those biscuits on his eyes.. hahahhaahhaha.. and said, "You want to look like Big Z, right?" ahahahhaha.. I love that part.. and Cody don't know what Big Z was up to.. so when he put the biscuits on, he looked just like Big Z, because Big Z has those two yellow circles on his eyes..hehe..
Oh, and you know that part where Big Z draws an 'X' on the beach and Cody lands exactly there? It's like Joram- he knows us more than we know ourselves sometimes. It's his prophetic gift that he can see right through us. In a way, he is just like my mum. I feel like I cannot hide anything from him, he can see it all- God will reveal it to him.
And I like that part in the ending where Cody was in the dangerous spiky place and Big Z was there to save him. It's like when you thought that Joram is never going to help you anymore because he says that he is in a new season, and then when you are in deep shit, Joram is always there for you and once again, he proves that his prophetic discernment is still as sharp as ever, and he draws an invisible 'X' and his 'X' never goes wrong.
Talking about 'X's, there was one part where Cody was getting the hang of it- after throwing the pineapple at Big Z who just woke up, Cody drew an 'X' and counted. By then, Cody learned so much from Big Z. It reminds me of myself, after spending time with Joram, I really learned a lot. Spending 10 minutes with him can teach me stuff that lasts me a lifetime. The stuff that he teaches me will get right into my bone, if you know what I mean- it gets right in.
I remember the time after Big Z landed on the 'X' Cody made for him, Big Z asked him, "So are you having fun?" and Cody says "Yes!" then Big Z says, "Good! Now let's start surfing." It's like what Joram always wanted to teach us.. loving God is the most important part in life. It is what life is all about.
And I like the part where after surfing the whole day, the three of them- Big Z, Cody and Sheila was lying down on their surf boards, just relaxing after everything, and Big Z says, "This is what life is all about." It's really soaking in the presence of God that is so peaceful and it's all you ever want to be. It reminds me of Xiying, and how much she loved soaking- she learned it from Joram too I guess.. not just Xiying but all the cf members, but especially Xiying- you should see her laptop, 'soaking this, soaking that..' man, she has a whole folder on soaking..
And then you know that part where they go into the tunnel? The wave is so big that it creates a tunnel, and I remember Big Z saying that it is like it's an experience you will never forget. It's like experiencing God. When your relationship with God is so intimate- it's something you will never want to forget- the intimacy, the closeness with God, when God is so real, you can touch Him.
And then Sheila teaches the kids how to surf- everything she learned was from Big Z. And I feel like Sheila many times, because now I teach my friends who spend time with me, and they are mostly young Christians or the older kids I teach in Sunday School, and I try to teach them what Joram teaches me- about God's love, what life is all about- having a relationship with God, intimacy with God- all that. And sometimes I think I utterly fail. Why do they keep drowning? Are they going to learn ANYTHING? Why is it so hard for them to get it?
And you know that part, that during the competition, Big Z was actually watching from behind? Yeah, sometimes I feel like that too.. Joram always says that he is not going to be there for me anymore, but he still cares somewhere from behind those bushes, making sure I don't kill myself through the things I go through in life.. all those boyfriends and all.
And the last part I liked was when everyone thought that Cody died and the beaver guy took Cody's surf board and started to auction it, and Big Z came from behind and took it, and the Beaver saw Big Z, it's just like when Joram comes back from Australia. It's like.. he's back?? No warning wan..
And then the part where Big Z didn't want to surf anymore.. and after the barbecue, he says, "you can go ahead if you want, but it's not for me anymore, those days are over." and then Sheila looks at Cody with that one-kind look. Big Z reminds me a lot of Joram when he didn't want to talk with us about spiritual things anymore.. he will say like, "My time is up, now I am moving into a new season where I just have to be alone by myself and God." It's a pity Big Z changed and Joram didn't. I guess that's why it's called a show- it's not real. But I know Joram's reasoning is true- maybe it IS a new season for him. It's a rather long season, though. And I think the old season will just remain as a show,.. The old season will never come back.
Oh, and you know what? Big Z plays the guitar too~! And he sings crappy songs,- just like Joram.. hehehee... and I love listening to his songs and his playing. But most of the time its Aaron who plays the guitar when they sing crappy songs. I like to listen to Joram's playing when it's not crappy songs.. It's so refreshing... I don't know how to say it.. I wish it would never end. I like Aaron's playing too.. he can really worship.. I tell you, his 'Magnificent' is the most original- you can never find it elsewhere- even Hillsongs can't beat him. I feel like asking him to sing one more time and record it.. so that it can last forever. What Xiying said of Aaron's playing is true.. he really connects with God and he sings with his whole heart like no one else in the room is around. When I hear him worship, I am just speechless. Aaron's playing and Joram's playing is totally different. Aaron is good at worshiping and Joram is good at ministering. Together, they make a great team.
And the pineapple in the show is more like erm,.. Seafood Spaghetti with Cabonara in real life or Roti Hawaii.. haha..
I feel like if I was Cody in the show, I would have felt like this island is where I belonged, and that this is the place I was meant to be in..
I like that part when Cody lost, and Big Z was with him and they were going back to land and Cody said, "I lost." and Big Z was like "So did I,.. c'mon loser, let's go home." That was so funny and really eye opening too.. It's true, its not about the winning, its about the surfing. At the end of the day, it's not about how many miracles happen or how many people were slain or how many people cried or how many churches you planted or how much you sacrificed for the ministry or how much time you spent in church- it's about how much you love God. In the end, this is the only thing that matters. In the throne room, most of the people sitting on the right hand of God are housewives, not pastors. Some pastors even go to hell. The most important thing in life is loving God.
Anyway, I'm SO going to get the dvd. This is my favourite show of all time~! =)
P/S: Joram is my Big Z~!
* tRUST & OBey the LORD *
Monday, June 18, 2007
I have infatuations for you
Guess what, I know I don't really know you but I like you a lot. I think you are really cute. I have infatuations for you and I hope you have infatuations for me too. Although I have only met you once, I feel like I have known you forever.
Let's try it out, just a short-term relationship. Then maybe I can get to know you better. If I don't like you or you don't like me then we'll just break up! But at least we tried. At the mean time, while the relationship is still on, let me take advantage of your body. I desperately need to satisfy my err.. physical cravings,.. I am a guy- you need to understant that. Meanwhile, you can satisfy your erm.. emotional cravings, too. See? -we are both desperate- just desperate for different things, that's all.
So honey, are you game? Alright, I will see you for a movie tonight. Btw, since this relationship is not long-term, we will just pretend that I don't have money.. Because if I keep spending you like that, I will get broke- you're not the only girl I am trying to take out, okay? You can tell your friends that my parents are not doing very well. So, I intend to 'borrow' some money from you tonight. Just assume that I would get a dream career, would be very rich in the future and will pay for everything. Eventually, I would discuss with you about getting married, settling down, having a few kids and a fine house. And no matter how many times we argue, you will ultimately be happy with me even when we know that you and I have different values and priorities in life.
Anyway, all that is only erm.. temporary. Soon, I will break up with you or you will break up with me, either way, so it doesn't actually matter. But right now it matters because we are going to spend the relationship talking about those things so that you will believe me and hope in me, in order for me to take advantage of you. Got that?
Did I miss anything? Oh yeah.. and while the relationship is going on, you must remember one important thing- football and computer games always come first, even if I said that you are the most important thing to me in the whole wide world- that's just fancy talk~! So don't disturb me when I am watching football with my friends or playing warcraft- I will get angry. Everything I tell you in this relationship- I don't mean any of it. That's why I chose you, dear- because you are stupid enough to believe me. *Muacks~!*
I will always have infatuations for you,
Your infatuater.
* tRUST & OBey the LORD *
Let's try it out, just a short-term relationship. Then maybe I can get to know you better. If I don't like you or you don't like me then we'll just break up! But at least we tried. At the mean time, while the relationship is still on, let me take advantage of your body. I desperately need to satisfy my err.. physical cravings,.. I am a guy- you need to understant that. Meanwhile, you can satisfy your erm.. emotional cravings, too. See? -we are both desperate- just desperate for different things, that's all.
So honey, are you game? Alright, I will see you for a movie tonight. Btw, since this relationship is not long-term, we will just pretend that I don't have money.. Because if I keep spending you like that, I will get broke- you're not the only girl I am trying to take out, okay? You can tell your friends that my parents are not doing very well. So, I intend to 'borrow' some money from you tonight. Just assume that I would get a dream career, would be very rich in the future and will pay for everything. Eventually, I would discuss with you about getting married, settling down, having a few kids and a fine house. And no matter how many times we argue, you will ultimately be happy with me even when we know that you and I have different values and priorities in life.
Anyway, all that is only erm.. temporary. Soon, I will break up with you or you will break up with me, either way, so it doesn't actually matter. But right now it matters because we are going to spend the relationship talking about those things so that you will believe me and hope in me, in order for me to take advantage of you. Got that?
Did I miss anything? Oh yeah.. and while the relationship is going on, you must remember one important thing- football and computer games always come first, even if I said that you are the most important thing to me in the whole wide world- that's just fancy talk~! So don't disturb me when I am watching football with my friends or playing warcraft- I will get angry. Everything I tell you in this relationship- I don't mean any of it. That's why I chose you, dear- because you are stupid enough to believe me. *Muacks~!*
I will always have infatuations for you,
Your infatuater.
* tRUST & OBey the LORD *
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Everything to me - Avalon
This song is pretty hard to play cause it changes keys
a thousand times but here it is :)
Intro: Bb F Eb Gm F Eb
Bb F
I grew up in Sunday School
Eb Bb
I memorized the Golden Rule
Gm F Eb
And how Jesus came to set the sinner free
Bb F
I know the story inside out
Eb Bb
I can tell you all about
Gm F Eb
The path that led Him up to Calvary
Cm7
But ask my why He loves me
Bb
And I don’t know what to say
Ab
But I’ll never be the same
F
Because He changed my life when He became
Db Ab
Everything to me
Bbm Db
He’s more than a story
Gb Db Ab
More than words on a page of history
Db Ab
He’s the air that I breathe
Bbm Db
The water I thirst for
Gb Db
And the ground beneath my feet
Eb Ab Gb
He’s everythi-----ng
Ab Bb
Everything to me
D A
We’re living in uncertain times
G D
And more and more I find that I’m
Bm A G
Aware of just how fragile life can be
D A
I want to tell the world I found
G D
A love that turned my life around
Bm A G
They need to know that they can taste and see
Em7
Now every day I’m praying
D
Just to give my heart away
C
I want to live for Jesus
G A
So that someone else might see that He is
F C
E----everything to me
Dm F
He’s more than a story
Bb F C
More than words on a page of history Chorus 2
F C
He’s the air that I breathe
Dm F
The water I thirst for
Bb F
And the ground beneath my feet
G C
He’s everything
Dm C Bb F
And looking back over my life at the end
Bb F Bb C
I’ll go to meet you, saying you’ve been
F C
Everything to me
Dm F
More than a story
Bb F C
More than words on a page of history
Ab Eb
You're everything to me
Fm Ab
You're more than a story
Db Ab Eb
More than words on a page of history Chorus 3
Ab Eb
He’s the air that I breathe
Fm Ab
The water I thirst for
Db Ab
And the ground beneath my feet
Bb Eb
You're everything
Db Eb F C Bb
Lord, You’re everything to me
F C Bb (keep repeating with ad-lib to end)
* tRUST & OBey the LORD *
a thousand times but here it is :)
Intro: Bb F Eb Gm F Eb
Bb F
I grew up in Sunday School
Eb Bb
I memorized the Golden Rule
Gm F Eb
And how Jesus came to set the sinner free
Bb F
I know the story inside out
Eb Bb
I can tell you all about
Gm F Eb
The path that led Him up to Calvary
Cm7
But ask my why He loves me
Bb
And I don’t know what to say
Ab
But I’ll never be the same
F
Because He changed my life when He became
Db Ab
Everything to me
Bbm Db
He’s more than a story
Gb Db Ab
More than words on a page of history
Db Ab
He’s the air that I breathe
Bbm Db
The water I thirst for
Gb Db
And the ground beneath my feet
Eb Ab Gb
He’s everythi-----ng
Ab Bb
Everything to me
D A
We’re living in uncertain times
G D
And more and more I find that I’m
Bm A G
Aware of just how fragile life can be
D A
I want to tell the world I found
G D
A love that turned my life around
Bm A G
They need to know that they can taste and see
Em7
Now every day I’m praying
D
Just to give my heart away
C
I want to live for Jesus
G A
So that someone else might see that He is
F C
E----everything to me
Dm F
He’s more than a story
Bb F C
More than words on a page of history Chorus 2
F C
He’s the air that I breathe
Dm F
The water I thirst for
Bb F
And the ground beneath my feet
G C
He’s everything
Dm C Bb F
And looking back over my life at the end
Bb F Bb C
I’ll go to meet you, saying you’ve been
F C
Everything to me
Dm F
More than a story
Bb F C
More than words on a page of history
Ab Eb
You're everything to me
Fm Ab
You're more than a story
Db Ab Eb
More than words on a page of history Chorus 3
Ab Eb
He’s the air that I breathe
Fm Ab
The water I thirst for
Db Ab
And the ground beneath my feet
Bb Eb
You're everything
Db Eb F C Bb
Lord, You’re everything to me
F C Bb (keep repeating with ad-lib to end)
* tRUST & OBey the LORD *
Monday, June 11, 2007
Infatuations - I kissed crushes goodbye
I hate infatuations. I keep getting it. It's like.. since I was 7, I started to have infatuations for guys. Just crushes. I admit- not love.
When I have infatuations, I normally don't even know the guy. So I thought about it this morning- and if you're similar to me, think about it- the people whom you had crushes on. Do we really know them?
Of course we think at first- yes, I do. But if we really take time to think about it: How many years have we really known them? (Not how many years we know them) How many things have we went through together? (Just two of us) Do we even have strong experiences embossed in both of our memories? (Note I said BOTH) Does he/she remember them? Does it meant anything to him/her? (If we were that close, we would know) How many experiences? Just one or two? A couple? Let's think about all those crushes one by one. I'll give you a couple of minutes to ponder one by one... [ 3 minutes obtained! ] Well? Start pondering.. and keep the answer to yourself. I will not discuss it.
Now that I think about it, even the three biggest crushes I have ever had in my whole life had nothing to do with love. I just wanted their love. Wanting them to love me and loving them are two opposite things. Let's ponder again.. Did we love them or did we just want them to love us? [ 2 minutes obtained! ]
To love someone, we have to know them.
This is a major rule in appraising love. If we don't know them, we don't love them. It's just like with God. Yes, we know and love God, but do we know and love that person whom we thought we loved? I don't know about you, but I really have to admit- I know not one of them. Not even one. Do you want to think about it too? [ 1 minute obtained! ]
Aside from the three huge crushes I have had, I have had three boyfriends (and mind you, the three boyfriends I have had aren't any of those crushes -yes, I had a miserable life). To tell you the truth, I only got to know my boyfriends after I became their girlfriend. And obviously, the reason why I'm finally single today- we got to know each other. And when we finally did know each other, we still didn't love each other anyways.
The reason why sometimes these relationships (I'm not saying all relationships - I'm not that cold yet) - the reason why some of these relationships still hang on are because we have the strong desire to be loved. But the fact that we still aren't loved remains. So there you have these two birds, so not in love, but so want to be loved. And that desire to be loved is so strong that no matter how much they don't love each other, they are willing to allow themselves to believe that they do just so that they have a chance of being loved back. But deep within their hearts, they know that this relationship is not all that.
Yes, life was miserable for me. Been there- done that. Three desperate relationships came out of nowhere- most of my long-term friends don't even know the guy's name. They were like - hi.. what's your name - kind of idea.
Not all relationships are like that- but for relationships that are formed out of the blue, not knowing who the heck the other person is for real - those relationships are just a dramatic play- a drama, a movie, an act. So finally I admit - finally, finally - I admit that none of the relationships I have had were real. I never knew them and when I finally got to, I didn't love them.
It is devastating, but true. And the last relationship I have had lasted for one year, did bad things with him and all - but while the relationship was going on, I still had infatuations for other guys - can you believe it? I was SO not in love. Thank God that was over with. I felt guilty and all for dumping such a caring boyfriend, but I didn't miss him anyways.
Cold? No, not cold- just not in love. Is that a crime? In a way yes, lying to someone that I loved him when I didn't. But then again, it is a white lie because I loved him as a person, I was just not in love with him. The same goes for the earlier two boyfriends - didn't love them either.
What about the three crushes? Well, at first, I used to think that - oh, the three boyfriends? I didn't love them as much as I loved my three huge crushes. And until now, I still have feelings for one or two of those crushes - but it was only until this morning when I realized- much to my horror- that I had never even loved those three crushes. I wanted their love and their attention. But only in the name of being loved back. No you say? I used to say I would love them even if they didn't love me. (Now, THAT is ultimate misery- I agree, it is) But the desire to be loved by them is the fuel that keeps the engine running- this fact, my friend, is unavoidable. Isn't it the Greatest dream of all time that our 'Prince Charming' or 'Knight in Shining Armour' or 'Everything I ever wanted' to actually be with us one day? And really love us more than they love anyone else in this planet? So there it is - the fuel that keeps the fire burning- the desire to be loved, not love in itself.
If you still don't believe me that I said you didn't really love your huge crush, then think about what I said earlier- that you don't even know them. And be honest with yourself for once in your life - I had my honesty treatment this morning- finally. I guess we all will have at one point in our lives if you're lucky. It took many years before I got this treatment (14.5 years to be exact), so be thankful you bumped into it here in my blog. (How stuck up you are, Anna!) Just kidding - thank God later. (*sweat) So be honest- how close are we to that person? Does that person consider us close? [ 10 seconds obtained! ] Are we 'best friends'? If yes, for how long? Just one year? [ 10 seconds obtained! ] Unless we have reached either official 'close friend' or 'best friend' status, I highly doubt it. Even if we did reach that status, how long have we been this close? Ultimately, the real question is,- how much do we know that person? [ 1 minute obtained! ] No one can provide this answer but us ourselves, that person and God. Unless you can say, 'Almost everything.' Then you can forget about saying 'I love that person'.
And if you are now in a dilemma of thinking whether you can accept so and so to be your next boyfriend or girlfriend, unless you can say, 'I know almost everything.' then you can forget about getting into that relationship and forget about saying, 'I love you' at all. I wish there were practical guidelines for me to follow before I accepted those guys as my boyfriends, but there weren't that I knew of. Now I feel like coughing blood to actually think that I could even call them my boyfriend without knowing even a heck or two about them. *cough *cough
Okay, so you want to know about my three huge crushes? The second crush I had, I was 14. I shall give him another name, so you guys won't know who it is- Jonathan. Okay, so Jonathan was like.. THE cutest guy in the world to me- I still think he is. But I started to like him when he was not even around- odd you say? No.. weeiirrrrrd... Okay, it started out like.. I liked Anthony before this guy, but one day, my sister was crapping about how 'spiritual' Jonathan was, that I ended up liking Jonathan instead of Anthony at the end of the day (*sweat). So anyways- here is a first hint- I hardly knew him. So remember - the time of which I first started to like him, I didn't know him. By the time I did know him, 'love' covered most of his weaknesses, it really didn't matter to me. We e-mailed everyday (during those days, the only chat engine was IRC- yes, that long ago! And I didn't know how to use IRC.. I didn't belong to the IRC generation) We chatted on the phone almost alternate days for a few hours each time. Sometimes he called me, sometimes I called him. I upgraded to close friend, but not officially. Well in other words, he said I was his close friend and all, but no third party actually noticed it, if you know what I mean- it wasn't public- the world around us didn't seem to think so. So, what kind of 'close friend' is that? Anyway, he had a huge crush on my best friend.. so after almost a year of spending close time with him, he was off and away chasing my best friend during Christmas holidays and never even laid an eye on me. My heart broke and I had no one to go to because my sister just got married and was off on her honeymoon with my parents..(don't ask), and I was home alone.. kinda.
So I needed someone to share to, and my attention went back to Anthony. I called Anthony my godbrother, was very close to him too. He used to say he loved me as a sister and I would say that I loved him as a brother. By now I had a handphone - I was 15. Text messaged each other everyday. The minute I came home from school, I would run to my mobile phone and I knew that I had something to see. (We weren't allowed to bring it to school) So we often chatted on the house phone and sometimes e-mailed. Then every now and then we would stay-over at my sister's, now happily married. At the stay-overs, he would help me out with my homework, just like a normal brother would, but much sweeter. And then we would chat a lot. Okay, so I did get to know him, but when I first started to like him, I didn't know him, so once again, much of this 'love' covered all the weaknesses, that I accepted them anyways. In the end, I guess he found out that I liked him, and never messaged me or anything ever again. Yes, I was heartbroken, worse than ever before- this was the biggest heartbreak of my life- I accepted the fact that I was fat so as to suit his preference for material girls- didn't eat well, developed a bit of anorexia- no breakfast - half an apple/pear/tomato for recess, half an apple/pear/tomato for lunch and one apple/pear/tomato for dinner. I didn't have the courage to kill myself, but when I laid my head to sleep, I thanked God that the day has finally ended, and just hope that I can let go of the pain I was carrying that whole day, only to wake the next morning to my horror- and spend that next day looking forward to nightfall once again in order to end all the pain. It carried on for almost two years.. Surprisingly, I don't have feelings for him anymore. No idea why.. maybe from all the numbness of being hurt by him once before, but I guess it is mainly because he just ain't my taste anymore.
2 years meant that I was then 18. I had two boyfriends - lasted a sick 6 months each. When I was 19, I met someone extraordinary, among everyone I have ever met in my entire life, I would say, he was my greatest role model aside from Jesus and my parents. Now I look up to him more as a father than anything else, although he is only 2 years my senior, but his experiences in life and understanding of such things has brought forth such a maturity within him that I can only hope to be half of who he is. My respect for him has outlived any crush I can have for any guy including himself, to state the obvious. Okay, in lay man's term, I respect him so much more than any 'feelings' I can have for him. So, yes, I did have a crush on him, but I hardly knew him, knew him, if you know what I meant. I knew him enough to respect him. And I respect him for what I know of him. But I wish I can get to know more of him and would desperately want him to teach me all that he knows.
A year later, I was 20 and had a third boyfriend for another year and a couple of infatuations later, and now, I'm still a single 21 year old girl. No more infatuations for guys now? Err... haha.. I am still human, my dear. And still a youth at that! But.. I'm learning, and what God has taught me this morning means so much to me. I hope that I shall remember it for the rest of my life - a simple statement but true - that all this time, I have never really loved any of them and none of them have ever really loved me, even if they thought they did.
I hope you find an answer - and even if you find out that it was love, so what?! It will simply mean that you're even more miserable than those that found out it wasn't. Devastating, yes.. I feel sorry for you.
P/S: Love at first sight? Don't even think about it!
* tRUST & OBey the LORD *
When I have infatuations, I normally don't even know the guy. So I thought about it this morning- and if you're similar to me, think about it- the people whom you had crushes on. Do we really know them?
Of course we think at first- yes, I do. But if we really take time to think about it: How many years have we really known them? (Not how many years we know them) How many things have we went through together? (Just two of us) Do we even have strong experiences embossed in both of our memories? (Note I said BOTH) Does he/she remember them? Does it meant anything to him/her? (If we were that close, we would know) How many experiences? Just one or two? A couple? Let's think about all those crushes one by one. I'll give you a couple of minutes to ponder one by one... [ 3 minutes obtained! ] Well? Start pondering.. and keep the answer to yourself. I will not discuss it.
Now that I think about it, even the three biggest crushes I have ever had in my whole life had nothing to do with love. I just wanted their love. Wanting them to love me and loving them are two opposite things. Let's ponder again.. Did we love them or did we just want them to love us? [ 2 minutes obtained! ]
This is a major rule in appraising love. If we don't know them, we don't love them. It's just like with God. Yes, we know and love God, but do we know and love that person whom we thought we loved? I don't know about you, but I really have to admit- I know not one of them. Not even one. Do you want to think about it too? [ 1 minute obtained! ]
Aside from the three huge crushes I have had, I have had three boyfriends (and mind you, the three boyfriends I have had aren't any of those crushes -yes, I had a miserable life). To tell you the truth, I only got to know my boyfriends after I became their girlfriend. And obviously, the reason why I'm finally single today- we got to know each other. And when we finally did know each other, we still didn't love each other anyways.
The reason why sometimes these relationships (I'm not saying all relationships - I'm not that cold yet) - the reason why some of these relationships still hang on are because we have the strong desire to be loved. But the fact that we still aren't loved remains. So there you have these two birds, so not in love, but so want to be loved. And that desire to be loved is so strong that no matter how much they don't love each other, they are willing to allow themselves to believe that they do just so that they have a chance of being loved back. But deep within their hearts, they know that this relationship is not all that.
Yes, life was miserable for me. Been there- done that. Three desperate relationships came out of nowhere- most of my long-term friends don't even know the guy's name. They were like - hi.. what's your name - kind of idea.
Not all relationships are like that- but for relationships that are formed out of the blue, not knowing who the heck the other person is for real - those relationships are just a dramatic play- a drama, a movie, an act. So finally I admit - finally, finally - I admit that none of the relationships I have had were real. I never knew them and when I finally got to, I didn't love them.
It is devastating, but true. And the last relationship I have had lasted for one year, did bad things with him and all - but while the relationship was going on, I still had infatuations for other guys - can you believe it? I was SO not in love. Thank God that was over with. I felt guilty and all for dumping such a caring boyfriend, but I didn't miss him anyways.
Cold? No, not cold- just not in love. Is that a crime? In a way yes, lying to someone that I loved him when I didn't. But then again, it is a white lie because I loved him as a person, I was just not in love with him. The same goes for the earlier two boyfriends - didn't love them either.
What about the three crushes? Well, at first, I used to think that - oh, the three boyfriends? I didn't love them as much as I loved my three huge crushes. And until now, I still have feelings for one or two of those crushes - but it was only until this morning when I realized- much to my horror- that I had never even loved those three crushes. I wanted their love and their attention. But only in the name of being loved back. No you say? I used to say I would love them even if they didn't love me. (Now, THAT is ultimate misery- I agree, it is) But the desire to be loved by them is the fuel that keeps the engine running- this fact, my friend, is unavoidable. Isn't it the Greatest dream of all time that our 'Prince Charming' or 'Knight in Shining Armour' or 'Everything I ever wanted' to actually be with us one day? And really love us more than they love anyone else in this planet? So there it is - the fuel that keeps the fire burning- the desire to be loved, not love in itself.
If you still don't believe me that I said you didn't really love your huge crush, then think about what I said earlier- that you don't even know them. And be honest with yourself for once in your life - I had my honesty treatment this morning- finally. I guess we all will have at one point in our lives if you're lucky. It took many years before I got this treatment (14.5 years to be exact), so be thankful you bumped into it here in my blog. (How stuck up you are, Anna!) Just kidding - thank God later. (*sweat) So be honest- how close are we to that person? Does that person consider us close? [ 10 seconds obtained! ] Are we 'best friends'? If yes, for how long? Just one year? [ 10 seconds obtained! ] Unless we have reached either official 'close friend' or 'best friend' status, I highly doubt it. Even if we did reach that status, how long have we been this close? Ultimately, the real question is,- how much do we know that person? [ 1 minute obtained! ] No one can provide this answer but us ourselves, that person and God. Unless you can say, 'Almost everything.' Then you can forget about saying 'I love that person'.
And if you are now in a dilemma of thinking whether you can accept so and so to be your next boyfriend or girlfriend, unless you can say, 'I know almost everything.' then you can forget about getting into that relationship and forget about saying, 'I love you' at all. I wish there were practical guidelines for me to follow before I accepted those guys as my boyfriends, but there weren't that I knew of. Now I feel like coughing blood to actually think that I could even call them my boyfriend without knowing even a heck or two about them. *cough *cough
Okay, so you want to know about my three huge crushes? The second crush I had, I was 14. I shall give him another name, so you guys won't know who it is- Jonathan. Okay, so Jonathan was like.. THE cutest guy in the world to me- I still think he is. But I started to like him when he was not even around- odd you say? No.. weeiirrrrrd... Okay, it started out like.. I liked Anthony before this guy, but one day, my sister was crapping about how 'spiritual' Jonathan was, that I ended up liking Jonathan instead of Anthony at the end of the day (*sweat). So anyways- here is a first hint- I hardly knew him. So remember - the time of which I first started to like him, I didn't know him. By the time I did know him, 'love' covered most of his weaknesses, it really didn't matter to me. We e-mailed everyday (during those days, the only chat engine was IRC- yes, that long ago! And I didn't know how to use IRC.. I didn't belong to the IRC generation) We chatted on the phone almost alternate days for a few hours each time. Sometimes he called me, sometimes I called him. I upgraded to close friend, but not officially. Well in other words, he said I was his close friend and all, but no third party actually noticed it, if you know what I mean- it wasn't public- the world around us didn't seem to think so. So, what kind of 'close friend' is that? Anyway, he had a huge crush on my best friend.. so after almost a year of spending close time with him, he was off and away chasing my best friend during Christmas holidays and never even laid an eye on me. My heart broke and I had no one to go to because my sister just got married and was off on her honeymoon with my parents..(don't ask), and I was home alone.. kinda.
So I needed someone to share to, and my attention went back to Anthony. I called Anthony my godbrother, was very close to him too. He used to say he loved me as a sister and I would say that I loved him as a brother. By now I had a handphone - I was 15. Text messaged each other everyday. The minute I came home from school, I would run to my mobile phone and I knew that I had something to see. (We weren't allowed to bring it to school) So we often chatted on the house phone and sometimes e-mailed. Then every now and then we would stay-over at my sister's, now happily married. At the stay-overs, he would help me out with my homework, just like a normal brother would, but much sweeter. And then we would chat a lot. Okay, so I did get to know him, but when I first started to like him, I didn't know him, so once again, much of this 'love' covered all the weaknesses, that I accepted them anyways. In the end, I guess he found out that I liked him, and never messaged me or anything ever again. Yes, I was heartbroken, worse than ever before- this was the biggest heartbreak of my life- I accepted the fact that I was fat so as to suit his preference for material girls- didn't eat well, developed a bit of anorexia- no breakfast - half an apple/pear/tomato for recess, half an apple/pear/tomato for lunch and one apple/pear/tomato for dinner. I didn't have the courage to kill myself, but when I laid my head to sleep, I thanked God that the day has finally ended, and just hope that I can let go of the pain I was carrying that whole day, only to wake the next morning to my horror- and spend that next day looking forward to nightfall once again in order to end all the pain. It carried on for almost two years.. Surprisingly, I don't have feelings for him anymore. No idea why.. maybe from all the numbness of being hurt by him once before, but I guess it is mainly because he just ain't my taste anymore.
2 years meant that I was then 18. I had two boyfriends - lasted a sick 6 months each. When I was 19, I met someone extraordinary, among everyone I have ever met in my entire life, I would say, he was my greatest role model aside from Jesus and my parents. Now I look up to him more as a father than anything else, although he is only 2 years my senior, but his experiences in life and understanding of such things has brought forth such a maturity within him that I can only hope to be half of who he is. My respect for him has outlived any crush I can have for any guy including himself, to state the obvious. Okay, in lay man's term, I respect him so much more than any 'feelings' I can have for him. So, yes, I did have a crush on him, but I hardly knew him, knew him, if you know what I meant. I knew him enough to respect him. And I respect him for what I know of him. But I wish I can get to know more of him and would desperately want him to teach me all that he knows.
A year later, I was 20 and had a third boyfriend for another year and a couple of infatuations later, and now, I'm still a single 21 year old girl. No more infatuations for guys now? Err... haha.. I am still human, my dear. And still a youth at that! But.. I'm learning, and what God has taught me this morning means so much to me. I hope that I shall remember it for the rest of my life - a simple statement but true - that all this time, I have never really loved any of them and none of them have ever really loved me, even if they thought they did.
I hope you find an answer - and even if you find out that it was love, so what?! It will simply mean that you're even more miserable than those that found out it wasn't. Devastating, yes.. I feel sorry for you.
P/S: Love at first sight? Don't even think about it!
* tRUST & OBey the LORD *
Saturday, June 09, 2007
Always Have, Always Will - Avalon
***********************************
Song: "Always Have, Always Will"
Artist: Avalon
Album: "In a Different Light"
By: Nick Gonzales, Grant Cunningham, Toby McKeehan
Copywrite: 1999 Vogon Poetry/ASCAP/River Oaks Music Co./Achtober Songs
Tabbed By: Cathy Bond (katia.b@juno.com)
************************************
~'In A Different Light' is a GREAT CD and this is one of my favorite
songs~Katia
Intro: C Am C Am (keep repeating until you start the lyrics)
C Am F
Part of me is the prodigal Part of me is the other brother
Am F
Am
But I think the heart of me is really somewhere between them
C Am F
Some days I'm running wild Some days we're reconciled
Am F
Am
But I wonder all the while why you put up with me when
G Am Bb C
I wrestle most days to find ways to do as I please
Chorus:
C Am C
G
I always have I always will You saved me once You save me still
C Am F
My longing heart, Your love alone can fill
G C
You always have Always will
C Am F
I was born with a wayward heart Still I live with a restless spirit
C Am F
Am
My soul is so well worn You'd think I'd have arrived by now
C Am F
I'm caught in the trappings of My search for a lasting love
C Am F Am
I've made mistakes enough to last me a lifetime
G Am Bb C
I still slip I still fall But I'll always run back to You
Repeat Chorus
G Am G
Am
I'm gonna keep trusting You I've seen what You've seen me through
G Am G
Bb
I'm goin' where You have gone I'm letting You lead me on
Dm* F
All my days...always and forever
Dm* F
Never far...never leave me never
Dm* F
Here I'll stay...ever love me ever
Dm* F C Am C
Here's my heart I'll always love You Love You yeah
Repeat Chorus
***I'm not exactly sure what chord this is, on the piano it is D minor
with 2 substitutes
--G instead of F and B instead of A-- sorry for the inconvenience******
* tRUST & OBey the LORD *
Friday, June 08, 2007
Meeting with Professor Richard Baldauf
Welcome to The University of Queensland
Dear Anna-Grace,
Thank you for your recent enquiry about study options at The University of Queensland (UQ).
If you are interested in study in the fields of Education, Teaching English as a Second Language (TESOL) or Applied Linguistics you now have the opportunity to speak to a UQ academic and expert in these fields in person.
Associate Professor Richard Baldauf Jr, a senior academic in The School of Education and UQ expert in the fields of Education, TESOL and Applied Linguistics, will be available in Beijing and Kuala Lumpur as follows:
Kuala Lumpur
Date:
Thursday, June 7
Time:
3:00pm to 5:00pm
Location:
IDP Education Australia Kuala Lumpur
6th Floor, West Block
Wisma Selangor Dredging
142-C Jalan Ampang
Kuala Lumpur, 50450
There is no need to reply to this invitation. Alll you need to do is turn up to the either session. If you haven't yet lodged an application to study at UQ and wish to do so during your meeting with Professor Baldauf we will waive your $50 application fee.
If you are unable to make it to see Professor Baldauf or are interested in a field of study not listed above, please feel free to contact me directly with any questions you have regarding UQ.
Kind Regards,
Dharshini Raja
UQ Enrolment Advisor
The University of Queensland
study@uq.edu.au
www.uq.edu.au/international
CRICOS Provider Number: 00025B
Tel: International and Domestic Paying Number + 61 3 8676 7004
Domestic Free Call - 1800 671 980
So I went for that session with Professor Bauldarf in Jalan Ampang. I went to the 6th floor, looked around. Someone came and ask me, "Yes, may I help you?"
I answered casually, "Yes, I heard there was a session here with Prof. Richard Baldauf."
"Oh, the Prof from UQ, right?"
"Yup!"
"He is there in the room. Did you make an appointment to see him?"
"Err.. No, I heard there was a session from 3-5?"
"Yes, there is, you can go in and talk to him, actually."
"Oh,.. okayy..." Blurr..
"Um,. what's your name?"
"Erm,.. Anna-Grace."
"Okay, Anna-Grace, just come."
She opens the door, "Professor, this is Anna-Grace."
Prof: Hi, nice to meet you.
*Shakes hands*
Me: Hi, nice to meet you too.
*Both sits down, lady goes out of the small little glass room with only a table, a fan, a clock and two chairs.*
Prof: I actually deal more with the postgraduate department, not so much on the undergraduate department.
I was thinking, 'Okay, so I look like a kid. I am actually applying for postgraduate leh. What does he think I am? Urgh.. can't blame him. I DO look like a kid.'
I'm here to help answer the questions of people who show interest in this course. Here is my name card, well the card is not really suitable, but the details are right.
Me: Thank you. I am actually applying for a Masters in Educational Studies, majoring in leadership, because I plan to build a few schools.
Prof: Leadership will cover more of the administrative and management part of the school. ...
Me: I heard that there was a 16 and a 24? I plan to take the 24 one.
Prof: 16 and 24 credits. Those that are doing the 24 credits are required to do a theses. When they do that, they have to think about it even from the start, what they plan to do. Most of it are based on their own research which they carry out throughout the course.
Me: Oh, so they have to start the theses even at the beginning of the course?
Prof: No, but it's good if they start thinking about it then.
Me: Actually, I was worried if I would qualify because I actually have no working experience whatsoever.
Prof: Have you taught before?
Me: Part time, yes. But not full time.
Prof: During the course, students normally refer to whatever working experience they have had to enhance their studies. Therefore, working experience is a very important part of doing a masters programme. Nevertheless, it is not compulsory. But you have had some experience in teaching, even if it may be just part time.
Me: Secondly, I am pretty worried if I can be accepted because my degree is not in Education but in Business Management.
Prof: Well, I am not one that would know if you qualify or not, you can actually email them and ask if you qualify. Have you tried emailing them?
Me: Yes, I tried. They asked me to refer to the website. Haha.
Prof: Oh, yes, that's because they would have to see to a number of things. That is their usual response. Have you told them your qualifications?
Me: Yes, I have.
Prof: Who did you talk to?
Me: I'm not sure, but later I emailed a person whose name was Dharshini Raja.
Prof: Who is she?
Me: I'm not sure.
Prof: Okay, I can refer you to two people who can help you out: Let me write their email addresses here on the back of the card... Bill Williamson is in the administrative side and Neil is a lecturer in the leadership part and will know more on the courses and subjects that you are interested in.
Me: Thank you.
Prof: Your degree is in business, and so it will help you if you're taking leadership because if you are going to run a school next time, there are a lot of things involved like managing staff to writing cocurriculums to budgeting and thinking of how the school can make profits.
Me: So having a degree in business is better than having a degree in Education for the major I am planning to take?
Prof: No, I am not trying to say that, but it can also be accepted. Well, your degree is from a recognized university, right?
Me: Yes.
Prof: Then you shouldn't have a problem. That is important.
Me: Another thing is that I haven't sat for an IELTS examination yet, but the lady told me that I just had to include the date in my application form.
Prof: Yes, that's right.
Me: I haven't completed my degree yet, so I was wondering..
Prof: When will it be completed?
Me: Either end of this year or the first month of 2008.
Prof: Okay, the semester will be starting either end of February or beginning of March.
Me: Is there like a second intake?
Prof: ??? *Puzzled face*
Me: Err... I mean... I mean... like every year, they only have one intake, that is, in February? They don't have like.. another one?
Prof: ??? *Still puzzled face*
Me: I mean.. Is there another time during the year that they can join?
Prof: Well, there is a second semester in July. It doesn't matter if you do your first semester first or second. Over there, there is no requirement to do the first semester first before doing the second semester.
Me: Oh! Okayyy,.. but if I apply today, would they give me a reply before the semester starts in february?
Prof: *smiles* Yes, of course. You will need some time to do your visa and all that too.
Me: *Nods* Umm,.. *long pause* I don't know what questions I should ask. Haha.. I came here to apply, actually. I wasn't expecting it to be like this.
Prof: It's okay. Do you have anymore questions to ask?
Me: *frowns* Erm, no I don't think so. *long pause* *looks at the name card* Umm,... I am just worried if I could get in or not. That was my biggest worry, actually.
Prof: It is not really my area, I wouldn't know but if you have anything to ask, you could contact the two emails I gave you earlier. Bill Williamson is doing the application and scholarships part and Neil is a lecturer teaching the leadership courses. They will tell you everything you need to know.
Me: Okay, thank you. Is there anything else I need to know about the course?
Prof: Well,.. The research that you do will help you to be who you want to be. There are a lot of things involved to be where you want to be. You have to be able to do research if you want to learn.
Me: Is this course enough for me to get to where I need to get? Is there anything else I need?
Prof: Well, there are other things you can take. Like you can try to take up other subjects that are available in different majors like primary education and secondary education. Then there is guidance and counselling and other things that you can just take up to widen your knowledge in these areas.
Me: So you mean like, take two majors?
Prof: No, you don't have to take two majors, I don't think you can, it will be hard to do two theses at once. You can just take up other subjects saperately.
Me: Do you think I need to get a PhD to do what I want to do?
Prof: No, I don't think you need to. The best is to keep your options open. I am going to tell you the same thing I am going to tell my daughter - keep your options open. Don't stick to the same thing. You never know, you might want to do something else in the future. You might realize that there is something else that you like to do or someone else you want to become that you enjoy doing.
Me: Okay,.. *long pause* I thought there will be a session or something. I thought I just needed to come and listen and then apply. Hehe. I wasn't expecting this.
Prof: *smiles* I am actually here for a conference. So while going to the conference, they asked me to come here and answer questions of people who are interested in UQ. I am just attending the conference to see if anyone is interested in applying for UQ there. I am just participating in the conference, representing UQ. It's a English as a second language conference.
Me: Okay,..
Prof: Is there anything else you want to ask me?
Me: Umm,.. I heard that there is a Grace Hostel or something?
Prof: Grace College?
Me: No, I don't know. It provides discount for students or something like that.
Prof: I only know of Grace College. Colleges in Australia means very differently than colleges in Malaysia. There are a list of colleges on the internet you can look through. Grace College will be one of them. They have all the listing of the various costs all there on the internet. You can look them up.
Me: Oh, so colleges there means accommodation?
Prof: Yes, colleges there means accommodation.
Me: *smiles*
I thought, 'Hmm,.. guess I've learnt something new today. That was interesting- and very surprising.'
Prof: Some of them also have tutors, but they are mainly accommodation. Colleges have a different meaning in US, for instance, I graduated from a college in US, but that college only offers undergraduate studies, not post graduate studies.
Me: Okayy,.... 'Another new thing to learn..'
Prof: Is there anything else you want to ask?
Me: Erm.. do they teach us how to write the syllabus in this course?
Prof: *smiles* Write the syllabus? No, that is normally done by the Department of Education, or in your country it is the Ministry of Education.
Me: *Nods* The government.
Prof: The schools rewrite the cocurriculums and send it to the Ministry of Education for approval.
Me: So, we can't write the syllabus. *dissapointed* Because I was hoping to change the education system. The education system here is really bad. I was thinking of rewriting the whole syllabus. How about private schools? Do they have to follow the syllabus set by the government too?
Prof: Yes, everything has to be sent to the government for approval.
Me: *dissapointed once again* So this course- leadership -who are the kinds of people that will benefit from it?
Prof: Normally principles. Because they have to learn the administrative part, and you already have some background in that area. Or some business people who are taking education because they want to educate their people in the business area? That could be something people are doing nowadays. Taking education and applying it to a business point of view to educate their staff.
Me: *Nods*
No, I am not thinking of doing that - I want to build a school, remember? Not an education institution for business people.
So for example if there is a private school in Malaysia and a private school in Australia, each of them have principles then who are above those principles?
Prof: There are some independant schools, run either by an organisation like a christian organisation who wishes to come up with their own cocurriculums. These are independant and they have more flexibility in their cocurriculums.
Me: Then I guess that is more like what I plan to do. Independant schools. So do you think that this course - Masters in Education is suitable for me if I want to build schools next time?
Prof: There was one of my former students from Japan who did her theses based on research of the biggest English Teaching Institutions in Japan because it was the in thing over there and the biggest institution had like a few hundred branches and they even have them in train stations, everywhere. And she showed what the institution wanted to deliver and promised to deliver to the customers and what the customers were getting and that her model of an english teaching institution would want to deliver different things to their customers. She visited like a chat room for customers to see what they were getting from it and she did a study on it. She delivered her model and how different it was in intending to deliver something different from what they were having there.
Me: Oh, she wanted to do something different, so she did a study on what is the current thing and how different it is from her new model. So she created a whole new different model. So next time when I do my theses, I want to come up with a new model, where there isn't an existing model to do my research on today. So I have to state the difference between my model and what they have today.
Prof: No, you have to do research on current models and then you can come up with your own model based on the current one and why it is not working and why yours is.
Me: I want to do something that is not available today. I plan to create a totally new model, and there isn't any model like my model, so for me to find a model to do my research on, I don't have to choose something like my model. I can choose something totally different.
Prof: Well, actually, you can use something that is current and not like your model at all. You can say what is available in the markets today why your model is different than what is available outside.
Me: Like, create a whole new model. Okay, so I guess this is the right course for me to take.
Prof: It's not so much the paper qualification, that's what I believe. It is in the research that you learn what you need to make you who you need to be to accomplish what it is you want to accomplish. I don't like it when some students just learn for the sake of learning and getting the paper qualifications. It is the thesis that you do, the research that makes you who you need to be in the end.
Me: *nodding the whole way in agreement* So it's like- it's up to you how much you want to learn.
Prof: *smiles* Yes, you can put it that way.
Me: So what you learn when you do your theses will help you in the future.
Prof: Yes, because there must be a lot of research involved and like my student from Japan, she knows what the current industry is offering and what she is offering that is different from what others are offering. I have produced 7 people with PhDs last year. And many people think that the course I am teaching is easy, but the truth is that the people who come to study with me are really that good. There are some practicing lecturers from US who did their PhD with me and went back to teach.
Me: So do some of them get their theses published? Like sell them to companies?
Prof: Yes, I just helped one of my students publish her theses last year. You may be able to get it by visiting the website.
Me: So, I can read previous students' theses online?
Prof: No, you won't be able to find them on the website. These kind of things are not shown to the public.
Me: Is everything there individual based or are the group projects?
Prof: Most of them are individual based, but for my course, there are some who want to do group projects. So they did group projects. I am not sure about the course you want to take, but there are no exams.
Me: There are no exams?
Prof: Yes, no exams that actually contribute to the final marks. Not that I know of.
Me: Okay. That's good. So the lecturers who are lecturing there, how qualified are they?
Prof: Oh, they are highly qualified. For example, Neil, the email address I gave you on the card, he is highly qualified and has done his PhD. You can see all the lecturers qualification online.
Me: Oh, yeah... okay. Um, so is the Education in UQ good?
Prof: There was actually a survey done among all the australian universities and UQ was found to be number one. So UQ is the best in Education.
Me: Okay, is it accepted in US?
Prof: Yes, I do have students from US. It is highly accepted in US. In fact the course that I am teaching - 'English as a second language' is the second best in US. In Australia, it is the best. If you put English as a second language Department side by side with the English Department, you will realize that there is actually a difference. In Australia, the local people wouldn't even send their kids to the English Department to study. *Smiles* But for the English as a second language department, we are the best in the country.
Me: Do all of them get their masters at the end?
Prof: Well, I guess what you are trying to ask is if it is easy or not to pass. Well, it is not easy. It is quite difficult, actually. But it really depends on the individual. Some people whose English is better naturally do better. But then again, it depends on the individual, their theses, their research and their supervisor supervising them. You have to decide at the very beginning, what theses you're going to do.
Me: Are theses marked by the supervisors?
Prof: Well, there is more than one marker.
Me: Two markers?
Prof: Yes, two markers, but sometimes we get someone from outside to be one of the markers. But the supervisors won't be the markers. Often, it is one of the lecturers.
Me: *Nods* Do the Australians do better than the Asians there?
Prof: Well, the Australians normally do not do as well because most of them take the part-time courses and therefore their focus is not there. Whereas the Asians that go there are doing it full time. Nevertheless, Australians have an advantage in language because Asians' English are not that good. That is why the English Language proficiency is very important. I am not sure about your reading and writing skills, but orally I think that your english is quite fluent. *smiles*
Me: *smiles* English is my first language, actually. I can't speak chinese. I'm Chinese, but I can't speak Chinese. That's sad.
Prof: Well, English is very important. It will help you a lot. In my course - English as a second language, I have a lot of Malaysians and other Asians from Cambodia and Myanmar working under me. Last year, there was a fairly large amount of Myanmar students because there was a special schorlarship provided to the Myanmar students over there and a lot of them came over. But being good in English is very important.
Me: Umm,.. what is the percentage of Asians there compared to Australians in UQ?
Prof: Erm,.. around 20% of them are Asians. The rest are locals.
Me: Wow.. okayy... how about your course? What is the percentage?
Prof: Well, considering the nature of my course - English as a second language, it would naturally be mostly people from other countries, so I work a lot with Asians most of the time. There are about 80% Asians.
Me: Wow.. okayy,.. how about leadership?
Prof: I would have to say they are mostly locals.
Me: Okay,.. are there any scholarships provided?
Prof: You will have to check the UQ website for that.
Me: Okay.
Prof: Feel free to ask me anything that comes to your mind.
Me: *smiles* *pauses for a long time* I can't think of anything right now.
Prof: It's okay, take your time.
Me: *looks outside the door* Is there anyone else waiting for you? Hehe..
Prof: Not that I know of! *smiles*
Me: Okayyy,.. *sees the clock* *thinking pause*4.30pm.. Wah.. talk for one and a half hours already, ah? Nobody else turned up meh? May as well talk until 5, lor like that.. after all, he will be inside the room doing nothing. Shouldn't waste it. I came all the way anyway. Might as well make the most of it.
UQ is the best in Eduction in Australia, right? But how about in the world?
Prof: *smiles* In the world?
Me: Yes.
Prof: Well, I would't know about that. I don't want to have partiality or anything like that, you know, every university would say that they are the best. I would just say, choose anything that you think would suit you better. Every university is good in different things. If you don't think that UQ is suitable for you, then feel free to choose another university.
Me: No, I would most probably be choosing UQ. I came here to apply anyway.
Prof: I have students from US, most of them graduated with a Phd, and are doing very well there. It is highly recognized in the US.
Me: You taught people to get a Phd?
Prof: Yes, I supervise them. *Looking at me intently*
Me: Wow,.. *long pause* How long have you been working there?
Prof: I have been in UQ for 4 years now. Before that I was at another university for around 5 years. Before that, I was at James Cook for 17 years.
Me: So you decided to settle for UQ.
Prof: Yes.
* tRUST & OBey the LORD *
Dear Anna-Grace,
Thank you for your recent enquiry about study options at The University of Queensland (UQ).
If you are interested in study in the fields of Education, Teaching English as a Second Language (TESOL) or Applied Linguistics you now have the opportunity to speak to a UQ academic and expert in these fields in person.
Associate Professor Richard Baldauf Jr, a senior academic in The School of Education and UQ expert in the fields of Education, TESOL and Applied Linguistics, will be available in Beijing and Kuala Lumpur as follows:
Kuala Lumpur
Date:
Thursday, June 7
Time:
3:00pm to 5:00pm
Location:
IDP Education Australia Kuala Lumpur
6th Floor, West Block
Wisma Selangor Dredging
142-C Jalan Ampang
Kuala Lumpur, 50450
There is no need to reply to this invitation. Alll you need to do is turn up to the either session. If you haven't yet lodged an application to study at UQ and wish to do so during your meeting with Professor Baldauf we will waive your $50 application fee.
If you are unable to make it to see Professor Baldauf or are interested in a field of study not listed above, please feel free to contact me directly with any questions you have regarding UQ.
Kind Regards,
Dharshini Raja
UQ Enrolment Advisor
The University of Queensland
study@uq.edu.au
www.uq.edu.au/international
CRICOS Provider Number: 00025B
Tel: International and Domestic Paying Number + 61 3 8676 7004
Domestic Free Call - 1800 671 980
So I went for that session with Professor Bauldarf in Jalan Ampang. I went to the 6th floor, looked around. Someone came and ask me, "Yes, may I help you?"
I answered casually, "Yes, I heard there was a session here with Prof. Richard Baldauf."
"Oh, the Prof from UQ, right?"
"Yup!"
"He is there in the room. Did you make an appointment to see him?"
"Err.. No, I heard there was a session from 3-5?"
"Yes, there is, you can go in and talk to him, actually."
"Oh,.. okayy..." Blurr..
"Um,. what's your name?"
"Erm,.. Anna-Grace."
"Okay, Anna-Grace, just come."
She opens the door, "Professor, this is Anna-Grace."
Prof: Hi, nice to meet you.
*Shakes hands*
Me: Hi, nice to meet you too.
*Both sits down, lady goes out of the small little glass room with only a table, a fan, a clock and two chairs.*
Prof: I actually deal more with the postgraduate department, not so much on the undergraduate department.
I was thinking, 'Okay, so I look like a kid. I am actually applying for postgraduate leh. What does he think I am? Urgh.. can't blame him. I DO look like a kid.'
I'm here to help answer the questions of people who show interest in this course. Here is my name card, well the card is not really suitable, but the details are right.
Me: Thank you. I am actually applying for a Masters in Educational Studies, majoring in leadership, because I plan to build a few schools.
Prof: Leadership will cover more of the administrative and management part of the school. ...
Me: I heard that there was a 16 and a 24? I plan to take the 24 one.
Prof: 16 and 24 credits. Those that are doing the 24 credits are required to do a theses. When they do that, they have to think about it even from the start, what they plan to do. Most of it are based on their own research which they carry out throughout the course.
Me: Oh, so they have to start the theses even at the beginning of the course?
Prof: No, but it's good if they start thinking about it then.
Me: Actually, I was worried if I would qualify because I actually have no working experience whatsoever.
Prof: Have you taught before?
Me: Part time, yes. But not full time.
Prof: During the course, students normally refer to whatever working experience they have had to enhance their studies. Therefore, working experience is a very important part of doing a masters programme. Nevertheless, it is not compulsory. But you have had some experience in teaching, even if it may be just part time.
Me: Secondly, I am pretty worried if I can be accepted because my degree is not in Education but in Business Management.
Prof: Well, I am not one that would know if you qualify or not, you can actually email them and ask if you qualify. Have you tried emailing them?
Me: Yes, I tried. They asked me to refer to the website. Haha.
Prof: Oh, yes, that's because they would have to see to a number of things. That is their usual response. Have you told them your qualifications?
Me: Yes, I have.
Prof: Who did you talk to?
Me: I'm not sure, but later I emailed a person whose name was Dharshini Raja.
Prof: Who is she?
Me: I'm not sure.
Prof: Okay, I can refer you to two people who can help you out: Let me write their email addresses here on the back of the card... Bill Williamson is in the administrative side and Neil is a lecturer in the leadership part and will know more on the courses and subjects that you are interested in.
Me: Thank you.
Prof: Your degree is in business, and so it will help you if you're taking leadership because if you are going to run a school next time, there are a lot of things involved like managing staff to writing cocurriculums to budgeting and thinking of how the school can make profits.
Me: So having a degree in business is better than having a degree in Education for the major I am planning to take?
Prof: No, I am not trying to say that, but it can also be accepted. Well, your degree is from a recognized university, right?
Me: Yes.
Prof: Then you shouldn't have a problem. That is important.
Me: Another thing is that I haven't sat for an IELTS examination yet, but the lady told me that I just had to include the date in my application form.
Prof: Yes, that's right.
Me: I haven't completed my degree yet, so I was wondering..
Prof: When will it be completed?
Me: Either end of this year or the first month of 2008.
Prof: Okay, the semester will be starting either end of February or beginning of March.
Me: Is there like a second intake?
Prof: ??? *Puzzled face*
Me: Err... I mean... I mean... like every year, they only have one intake, that is, in February? They don't have like.. another one?
Prof: ??? *Still puzzled face*
Me: I mean.. Is there another time during the year that they can join?
Prof: Well, there is a second semester in July. It doesn't matter if you do your first semester first or second. Over there, there is no requirement to do the first semester first before doing the second semester.
Me: Oh! Okayyy,.. but if I apply today, would they give me a reply before the semester starts in february?
Prof: *smiles* Yes, of course. You will need some time to do your visa and all that too.
Me: *Nods* Umm,.. *long pause* I don't know what questions I should ask. Haha.. I came here to apply, actually. I wasn't expecting it to be like this.
Prof: It's okay. Do you have anymore questions to ask?
Me: *frowns* Erm, no I don't think so. *long pause* *looks at the name card* Umm,... I am just worried if I could get in or not. That was my biggest worry, actually.
Prof: It is not really my area, I wouldn't know but if you have anything to ask, you could contact the two emails I gave you earlier. Bill Williamson is doing the application and scholarships part and Neil is a lecturer teaching the leadership courses. They will tell you everything you need to know.
Me: Okay, thank you. Is there anything else I need to know about the course?
Prof: Well,.. The research that you do will help you to be who you want to be. There are a lot of things involved to be where you want to be. You have to be able to do research if you want to learn.
Me: Is this course enough for me to get to where I need to get? Is there anything else I need?
Prof: Well, there are other things you can take. Like you can try to take up other subjects that are available in different majors like primary education and secondary education. Then there is guidance and counselling and other things that you can just take up to widen your knowledge in these areas.
Me: So you mean like, take two majors?
Prof: No, you don't have to take two majors, I don't think you can, it will be hard to do two theses at once. You can just take up other subjects saperately.
Me: Do you think I need to get a PhD to do what I want to do?
Prof: No, I don't think you need to. The best is to keep your options open. I am going to tell you the same thing I am going to tell my daughter - keep your options open. Don't stick to the same thing. You never know, you might want to do something else in the future. You might realize that there is something else that you like to do or someone else you want to become that you enjoy doing.
Me: Okay,.. *long pause* I thought there will be a session or something. I thought I just needed to come and listen and then apply. Hehe. I wasn't expecting this.
Prof: *smiles* I am actually here for a conference. So while going to the conference, they asked me to come here and answer questions of people who are interested in UQ. I am just attending the conference to see if anyone is interested in applying for UQ there. I am just participating in the conference, representing UQ. It's a English as a second language conference.
Me: Okay,..
Prof: Is there anything else you want to ask me?
Me: Umm,.. I heard that there is a Grace Hostel or something?
Prof: Grace College?
Me: No, I don't know. It provides discount for students or something like that.
Prof: I only know of Grace College. Colleges in Australia means very differently than colleges in Malaysia. There are a list of colleges on the internet you can look through. Grace College will be one of them. They have all the listing of the various costs all there on the internet. You can look them up.
Me: Oh, so colleges there means accommodation?
Prof: Yes, colleges there means accommodation.
Me: *smiles*
I thought, 'Hmm,.. guess I've learnt something new today. That was interesting- and very surprising.'
Prof: Some of them also have tutors, but they are mainly accommodation. Colleges have a different meaning in US, for instance, I graduated from a college in US, but that college only offers undergraduate studies, not post graduate studies.
Me: Okayy,.... 'Another new thing to learn..'
Prof: Is there anything else you want to ask?
Me: Erm.. do they teach us how to write the syllabus in this course?
Prof: *smiles* Write the syllabus? No, that is normally done by the Department of Education, or in your country it is the Ministry of Education.
Me: *Nods* The government.
Prof: The schools rewrite the cocurriculums and send it to the Ministry of Education for approval.
Me: So, we can't write the syllabus. *dissapointed* Because I was hoping to change the education system. The education system here is really bad. I was thinking of rewriting the whole syllabus. How about private schools? Do they have to follow the syllabus set by the government too?
Prof: Yes, everything has to be sent to the government for approval.
Me: *dissapointed once again* So this course- leadership -who are the kinds of people that will benefit from it?
Prof: Normally principles. Because they have to learn the administrative part, and you already have some background in that area. Or some business people who are taking education because they want to educate their people in the business area? That could be something people are doing nowadays. Taking education and applying it to a business point of view to educate their staff.
Me: *Nods*
No, I am not thinking of doing that - I want to build a school, remember? Not an education institution for business people.
So for example if there is a private school in Malaysia and a private school in Australia, each of them have principles then who are above those principles?
Prof: There are some independant schools, run either by an organisation like a christian organisation who wishes to come up with their own cocurriculums. These are independant and they have more flexibility in their cocurriculums.
Me: Then I guess that is more like what I plan to do. Independant schools. So do you think that this course - Masters in Education is suitable for me if I want to build schools next time?
Prof: There was one of my former students from Japan who did her theses based on research of the biggest English Teaching Institutions in Japan because it was the in thing over there and the biggest institution had like a few hundred branches and they even have them in train stations, everywhere. And she showed what the institution wanted to deliver and promised to deliver to the customers and what the customers were getting and that her model of an english teaching institution would want to deliver different things to their customers. She visited like a chat room for customers to see what they were getting from it and she did a study on it. She delivered her model and how different it was in intending to deliver something different from what they were having there.
Me: Oh, she wanted to do something different, so she did a study on what is the current thing and how different it is from her new model. So she created a whole new different model. So next time when I do my theses, I want to come up with a new model, where there isn't an existing model to do my research on today. So I have to state the difference between my model and what they have today.
Prof: No, you have to do research on current models and then you can come up with your own model based on the current one and why it is not working and why yours is.
Me: I want to do something that is not available today. I plan to create a totally new model, and there isn't any model like my model, so for me to find a model to do my research on, I don't have to choose something like my model. I can choose something totally different.
Prof: Well, actually, you can use something that is current and not like your model at all. You can say what is available in the markets today why your model is different than what is available outside.
Me: Like, create a whole new model. Okay, so I guess this is the right course for me to take.
Prof: It's not so much the paper qualification, that's what I believe. It is in the research that you learn what you need to make you who you need to be to accomplish what it is you want to accomplish. I don't like it when some students just learn for the sake of learning and getting the paper qualifications. It is the thesis that you do, the research that makes you who you need to be in the end.
Me: *nodding the whole way in agreement* So it's like- it's up to you how much you want to learn.
Prof: *smiles* Yes, you can put it that way.
Me: So what you learn when you do your theses will help you in the future.
Prof: Yes, because there must be a lot of research involved and like my student from Japan, she knows what the current industry is offering and what she is offering that is different from what others are offering. I have produced 7 people with PhDs last year. And many people think that the course I am teaching is easy, but the truth is that the people who come to study with me are really that good. There are some practicing lecturers from US who did their PhD with me and went back to teach.
Me: So do some of them get their theses published? Like sell them to companies?
Prof: Yes, I just helped one of my students publish her theses last year. You may be able to get it by visiting the website.
Me: So, I can read previous students' theses online?
Prof: No, you won't be able to find them on the website. These kind of things are not shown to the public.
Me: Is everything there individual based or are the group projects?
Prof: Most of them are individual based, but for my course, there are some who want to do group projects. So they did group projects. I am not sure about the course you want to take, but there are no exams.
Me: There are no exams?
Prof: Yes, no exams that actually contribute to the final marks. Not that I know of.
Me: Okay. That's good. So the lecturers who are lecturing there, how qualified are they?
Prof: Oh, they are highly qualified. For example, Neil, the email address I gave you on the card, he is highly qualified and has done his PhD. You can see all the lecturers qualification online.
Me: Oh, yeah... okay. Um, so is the Education in UQ good?
Prof: There was actually a survey done among all the australian universities and UQ was found to be number one. So UQ is the best in Education.
Me: Okay, is it accepted in US?
Prof: Yes, I do have students from US. It is highly accepted in US. In fact the course that I am teaching - 'English as a second language' is the second best in US. In Australia, it is the best. If you put English as a second language Department side by side with the English Department, you will realize that there is actually a difference. In Australia, the local people wouldn't even send their kids to the English Department to study. *Smiles* But for the English as a second language department, we are the best in the country.
Me: Do all of them get their masters at the end?
Prof: Well, I guess what you are trying to ask is if it is easy or not to pass. Well, it is not easy. It is quite difficult, actually. But it really depends on the individual. Some people whose English is better naturally do better. But then again, it depends on the individual, their theses, their research and their supervisor supervising them. You have to decide at the very beginning, what theses you're going to do.
Me: Are theses marked by the supervisors?
Prof: Well, there is more than one marker.
Me: Two markers?
Prof: Yes, two markers, but sometimes we get someone from outside to be one of the markers. But the supervisors won't be the markers. Often, it is one of the lecturers.
Me: *Nods* Do the Australians do better than the Asians there?
Prof: Well, the Australians normally do not do as well because most of them take the part-time courses and therefore their focus is not there. Whereas the Asians that go there are doing it full time. Nevertheless, Australians have an advantage in language because Asians' English are not that good. That is why the English Language proficiency is very important. I am not sure about your reading and writing skills, but orally I think that your english is quite fluent. *smiles*
Me: *smiles* English is my first language, actually. I can't speak chinese. I'm Chinese, but I can't speak Chinese. That's sad.
Prof: Well, English is very important. It will help you a lot. In my course - English as a second language, I have a lot of Malaysians and other Asians from Cambodia and Myanmar working under me. Last year, there was a fairly large amount of Myanmar students because there was a special schorlarship provided to the Myanmar students over there and a lot of them came over. But being good in English is very important.
Me: Umm,.. what is the percentage of Asians there compared to Australians in UQ?
Prof: Erm,.. around 20% of them are Asians. The rest are locals.
Me: Wow.. okayy... how about your course? What is the percentage?
Prof: Well, considering the nature of my course - English as a second language, it would naturally be mostly people from other countries, so I work a lot with Asians most of the time. There are about 80% Asians.
Me: Wow.. okayy,.. how about leadership?
Prof: I would have to say they are mostly locals.
Me: Okay,.. are there any scholarships provided?
Prof: You will have to check the UQ website for that.
Me: Okay.
Prof: Feel free to ask me anything that comes to your mind.
Me: *smiles* *pauses for a long time* I can't think of anything right now.
Prof: It's okay, take your time.
Me: *looks outside the door* Is there anyone else waiting for you? Hehe..
Prof: Not that I know of! *smiles*
Me: Okayyy,.. *sees the clock* *thinking pause*4.30pm.. Wah.. talk for one and a half hours already, ah? Nobody else turned up meh? May as well talk until 5, lor like that.. after all, he will be inside the room doing nothing. Shouldn't waste it. I came all the way anyway. Might as well make the most of it.
UQ is the best in Eduction in Australia, right? But how about in the world?
Prof: *smiles* In the world?
Me: Yes.
Prof: Well, I would't know about that. I don't want to have partiality or anything like that, you know, every university would say that they are the best. I would just say, choose anything that you think would suit you better. Every university is good in different things. If you don't think that UQ is suitable for you, then feel free to choose another university.
Me: No, I would most probably be choosing UQ. I came here to apply anyway.
Prof: I have students from US, most of them graduated with a Phd, and are doing very well there. It is highly recognized in the US.
Me: You taught people to get a Phd?
Prof: Yes, I supervise them. *Looking at me intently*
Me: Wow,.. *long pause* How long have you been working there?
Prof: I have been in UQ for 4 years now. Before that I was at another university for around 5 years. Before that, I was at James Cook for 17 years.
Me: So you decided to settle for UQ.
Prof: Yes.
* tRUST & OBey the LORD *
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
Studying in Australia, Brisbane
My dad is not going to support me anymore.
I never knew what it felt like when my friends tell me that. Now, I am going through something I thought I would never have to do - support myself. Isn't it impossible? I haven't even graduated yet and I want to support myself with a masters. Yes, I know. It's idiotic.
Somehow I feel called to go. Somewhere in me tells me that I shouldn't worry- that God will provide. I will just apply for it and go by faith. All my life my dad has said to me, "Go study whatever you want to study. I will pay for it. If you want to go overseas, just tell me, I will pay for it. Do whatever you want, as long as you are happy. I will pay for it." Yes, my life was that easy. I bet you guys envy me already. But all that has ended today in a session of stress. 'What?' I was thinking. 'You're not going to support my studies?' I was stressed. I thought everything was going perfectly - it was too good to be true. Now I see the catch.
He had to support Elijah to study as well, and as Elijah will be going to Harvard, it seems more important to my dad to support Elijah more than any other child. I don't blame him, I would have done the same.. duh.
Anyway, I told him that whatever it is, I felt that God called me to go. (Yes, I know, I sounded really stuck up..) And I told him that if God wanted me to go, He will make me accepted into UQ, because it is such a hard uni to be accepted in. And if it is NOT God's will for me to go then I won't be accepted. Isn't it all that simple? After all, God did tell me many times that He will provide everything for me. He is my provider. And I felt deep within my spirit that He said that I needed to complete my studies as soon as possible and that I was running out of time. I know it, I can feel it. I have to go to UQ next year. And the earlier the better. I have to complete my studies as soon as possible and I don't have any time to waste. God said that He will provide for me and my family.
In the end, I told my dad that I will support myself. I will have to go to work and all. Living expenses, if the currency rate was 2.7, would cost me approximately RM40-45k a year - 85k for 2 years. Tuition fees would be approximately RM89,000. So altogether, it would cost like RM174k. So tomorrow I am going to pray and look up at the sky. A blank cheque will soon fall down. =P
I am so sure I have to go. And I am so sure that God will provide. Call it stuck up, call it faith, call it foolish. If God wills, I am going.
* tRUST & OBey the LORD *
I never knew what it felt like when my friends tell me that. Now, I am going through something I thought I would never have to do - support myself. Isn't it impossible? I haven't even graduated yet and I want to support myself with a masters. Yes, I know. It's idiotic.
Somehow I feel called to go. Somewhere in me tells me that I shouldn't worry- that God will provide. I will just apply for it and go by faith. All my life my dad has said to me, "Go study whatever you want to study. I will pay for it. If you want to go overseas, just tell me, I will pay for it. Do whatever you want, as long as you are happy. I will pay for it." Yes, my life was that easy. I bet you guys envy me already. But all that has ended today in a session of stress. 'What?' I was thinking. 'You're not going to support my studies?' I was stressed. I thought everything was going perfectly - it was too good to be true. Now I see the catch.
He had to support Elijah to study as well, and as Elijah will be going to Harvard, it seems more important to my dad to support Elijah more than any other child. I don't blame him, I would have done the same.. duh.
Anyway, I told him that whatever it is, I felt that God called me to go. (Yes, I know, I sounded really stuck up..) And I told him that if God wanted me to go, He will make me accepted into UQ, because it is such a hard uni to be accepted in. And if it is NOT God's will for me to go then I won't be accepted. Isn't it all that simple? After all, God did tell me many times that He will provide everything for me. He is my provider. And I felt deep within my spirit that He said that I needed to complete my studies as soon as possible and that I was running out of time. I know it, I can feel it. I have to go to UQ next year. And the earlier the better. I have to complete my studies as soon as possible and I don't have any time to waste. God said that He will provide for me and my family.
In the end, I told my dad that I will support myself. I will have to go to work and all. Living expenses, if the currency rate was 2.7, would cost me approximately RM40-45k a year - 85k for 2 years. Tuition fees would be approximately RM89,000. So altogether, it would cost like RM174k. So tomorrow I am going to pray and look up at the sky. A blank cheque will soon fall down. =P
I am so sure I have to go. And I am so sure that God will provide. Call it stuck up, call it faith, call it foolish. If God wills, I am going.
* tRUST & OBey the LORD *
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