I spent a few days doing a "test drive" on my new camera and trying out all of its features. Next in my list: finding a good time for a photo hunting with good companions ;)
My old Canonet G-III QL17. My mom bought this in 1970s and it's still working greatly now!
zooming effect
And introducing my lunch buddies, with their "trademark" pose :P. A side note, whenever the five of us go for a lunch together, we always have a great time and laughter due to the "comic relief" effect some of us brought.
Exhausted, yes, I think that's the word that best described myself in the past few days.. I'm exhausted with all the commitments I took, everything seems to be piling up higher and higher and I couldn't even see an end to all of those. Once I wished that I could have all the time in the world, time to relax, read a book, play guitar, sing, and perhaps have an outing somewhere to a nice place, do things that I like to do.
Even, I am exhausted with all the ministries which I took. Sad, isn't it? You are doing something for God, yet you're exhausted. A paradox? What a terrible state I am right now. Human, fragile.. Human, helpless.. Human, nothing..
What went wrong? A friend of mine told me, perhaps it's because you rely too much on yourself. "Do not rely too much on self, but rely on God" something that we as a Christian perhaps hear again and again and again...
I once told a friend of mine, "Pray, in everything, in every struggle that you are facing, pray, in every thing that you do, pray, and bring yourself nearer to God. Pray, so that God leads your way. Pray, so that God shows you what you should do. Pray, and pray..."
I tried to remember, have I prayed about all the ministries which I took, in the church, in the university's fellowship? No.. not really.. Yes, I actually never bring all of these commitments to God, and let everything done with my own prowness, a futile attempt, sadly... I didn't really rely on God in the first place. So, please help me God.
Some of my friends perhaps have already heard about this "perspective" from me. Okay, so here we go. What do you think are the differences between economics and finance?
Who cause the latest slump? Irresponsible derivatives invented by financial engineers. Now, after the slump, who fixed everything? Economists.
Economists work for the well being of the people, in a country, or in the world. Finance analysts, financial engineers, or whatever professions related to finance, they work for the well being of only some people or some parties at best.
Finance: piling up wealth for some people while reducing other's wealth thereby increasing poverty and the gap between the rich and the poor.
Okay, what I wrote here is merely my own subjective opinion based on the facts that I have observed in the past few years, and of course people can argue that finance is not so much about increasing wealth on some people or some parties. Yes, there are personal finance, corporate finance, public finance etc etc. Furthermore, they are trying right now not only to transfer wealth, but how they can generate wealth.
These are further facts, but what I want to say here is BE RESPONSIBLE! Do not just create stupid derivatives in which yes, you can gather more and more money from that, but the consequences shouldn't be overlooked. Executive bonuses, do they really deserve those bonuses? I don't think so ... Those bonuses are too excessive!
Be responsible, and life is not so much only and only about wealth and money. There's something money can't buy! Or if you still think money can buy everything, re-think!
"Remain in me, and I will remain in you," this is the sure promise of Jesus to us. This short passage was the one I read this morning during my quite time. It is taken from John 15: 4. It's true that the communion with Him is the cure of every ill, as how Spurgeon described it. Something which actually I couldn't understand before.
In every difficulties, in many tribulations in our life, where do you find your comfort? Where do we run to when we are faced with so much troubles in our life? Where to? Sometimes, perhaps, we found comforts by just talking with friends. Sometimes, perhaps, we found pleasures through playing games in which we can flood off our stress and emotions (such as those kind of "mass-killing"-games which I played: Grand Theft Auto :P). Sometimes, perhaps, we found peace by just sleeping or eating as much as we can. But they are all temporary, aren't they?
Jesus, is our surest source of comfort, and of hope, and of peace. In our distress, remain in Him, through prayers. Call Him, be honest in prayer, cast your burden upon Him, and He will grant you peace. From time to time, I have learnt that prayers is indeed powerful, something which perhaps I could hardly explain in words. When there's no one beside us, when sometimes we couldn't talk with friends or perhaps when we grew tired of them, God is there at your side, and His ear is always wide open..
There was a time when I found myself helpless, unable to help those people near to me. But one thing that I remember for sure, during this kind of time, that God is the only one who could help them. Prayer, yes, that's the key, for us to remain in Him.
Here are some places which I really really want to see! Planning to go to Europe in 2011 to see Greece and Turkey, thus they are on the top two of this list.
Greece (1) When I planned to go to Germany for an exchange programme in 2008, I only had some places in my mind which I'm keen on visiting: Greece and Italy. Greece was on the list! I had even finished creating my travel itinerary for Greece. But sadly, I couldn't manage to get there, and I went to so many other places instead. That travel itinerary was left unfulfilled. That's why I'm so determined to go to Europe again to see Greece! My first initial plan was to go to Greece from Italy, ie. taking a ferry from Bari to Patras. From Patras, the overland journey will go to Olympia, Mystras, Sparta, Argos, Nafplio, Mykines, and Korinthos. From Korinthos, Athens is easily reachable. Here, the centuries old Parthenon is within reach. Athens' port of Piraeus is the hub of all ferries connecting the mainland Greece with islands scattered in Aegean Sea. One of the most interesting island is Santorini (Thira), which is believed to be the source of the legend of the lost city of Atlantis. Santorini is a remnant of a volcanic cone, and it has a very beautiful sunset!
Athens
Santorini (Thira)
Turkey (2) Turkey, another country with long history and rich in culture. Turkey is easily reachable from Greece, as there is a direct overnight train from Thessaloniki to Istanbul (Filia Express). Some places that I want to see there: Istanbul, Cappadocia, and Pamukkale. Istanbul was Constantinople, it was the capital of the once mighty Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantine Empire). Ottomans conquered the city in 1453 which symbolically marked the end of the dominance of Greco-Roman culture in the world. Architecturally speaking, Istanbul is stunning: a melting pot of Greek, Byzantine, Muslim and Ottoman architectures. Cappadocia has a natural wonder of its own. It's most famous for the "fairy-chimneys" and taking a trip on a hot-air balloon over the region is breathtaking! Pamukkale, or "cotton castle", contains hot springs and travertines, terraces of carbonate minerals left by the flowing water. Can't wait to see all of these ;)
When I was still in junior high school, I had always dreamed of leaving Indonesia, continuing my study somewhere else, and pursuing career overseas. However now, that dream has now changed. I want to go back to Indonesia in the near future! I believe, nationalism came into one's soul through many factors. One of those, I believe, came when someone lived outside their home country for a period of time, and through that period, one started to realise how beautiful their home-country is, and how things are so much different in the country ones resided in with their home country. The same thing happened to me as well.
I have been to so many countries in Europe, I have been to Thailand and Vietnam, but when someone asked me, where have you been in Indonesia? I can only mention several places: Java Island, Palembang, Padang. Even I haven't been to my dad's birthplace in Banjarmasin! There are so many places in Indonesia that I really want to see. Hopefully I can fulfill this dream one day:
Bunaken (1) Bunaken National Marine Park in North Sulawesi has one of the clearest water in Indonesia. From the boat, you can see the corals, plus all the fishes and other biota living there. But, just looking at them from the surface without going into the water will be totally a waste. Diving there is highly recommended. The good thing is that diving requires swimming skill, and one of a few sports that I can do quite well is swimming :P. I'll just need to find a time in which I can get a diving license.
Mount Bromo (2) Bromo is one of the most active volcano in Java Island, located in the Tenger region in East java. Its last eruption occurred in 2007. Mount Semeru, another active volcano, is found nearby, and together they form Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park. Hiking is a must! Some of my friends are going to Mount Kinabalu in the middle of this year and they have been practicing a lot! I think I need to start practicing soon >.<
Sumba Island (3) Sumba Island produces one of the best breed of horses in Indonesia (Kuda Sumba). The Sumbanese are all natural horse-riders and one of their long lasting tradition is a Pasola game. in which teams of horse-riders fight with spears. Sumba is also one of the few places in the world in which megalithic burial are still practiced.
Kelimutu (4) Located in the island of Flores, Kelimutu volcano is famous for its three summit crater lakes with varying colors. Tiwu Ata Mbupu (Lake of Old People) is usually blue and is the westernmost of the three lakes. The other two lakes, Tiwu Nuwa Muri Koo Fai (Lake of Young Men and Maidens) and Tiwu Ata Polo (Bewitched or Enchanted Lake) are separated by a shared crater wall and are typically green or red in color, respectively. This phenomenon is something that I will not miss!
Tana Toraja (5) Tana Toraja, or the Land of Toraja, in South Sulawesi, is famous for its traditional Tongkonan house, spectacular burial rites and its burial places. After a person's death, the body is kept — often for several years — while money is saved to pay for the actual funeral ceremony, known as tomate. During the festival, which may last up to a week, ritual dances and buffalo fights are held, and buffaloes and pigs are slaughtered to ferry the soul of the deceased to the afterlife (puya). The deceased is then finally buried either in a small cave, often with a tau-tau effigy placed in front, inside a hollow tree or even left exposed to the elements in a bamboo frame hanging from a cliff.
Komodo Island (6) Komodo Island, the natural habitat of Komodo dragon, the largest living species of lizard in the world! This is something that shouldn't be missed as well!
Bangka Island (7) Bangka has some of the most beautiful beaches in Indonesia. Its fame has been over-shadowed by the more popular Bali and Lombok island. If you are looking for a nice beach far from the crowds, Bangka Island is probably a good choice ;)
Lake Toba (8) Lake Toba is what is left from a supervolcano. It was the site of a massive eruption occurred 69,000-77,000 years ago, an event which changed the world's climate. This eruption is believed to have been the largest anywhere on Earth in the last 25 million years!
Borneo Island (9) Borneo (Kalimantan), is the second biggest island in the Malay archipelago, and the third largest island in the world! It is very rich in biodiversity and a home to 15,000 species of flowering plants with 3,000 species of trees, 221 species of terrestrial mammals and 420 species of birds. It's also a home to Orangutan which is now endangered. My dad's ancestor came from Fujian region in China and settled in Banjarmasin (South Kalimantan) before moving to Jakarta in 1960s.
Nias Island (10) Devastated by a severe earthquake which caused tsunamis in December 2004, and again in March 2005 it was hit by another strong earthquake, Nias is now rebuilding itself. Nias is an internationally famous surfing destination. Nias best known for its remarkable diversity of festivals and celebration: War Dances, and Stone Jumping, a manhood ritual that sees young men leaping over two meter stone towers to their fate.
Too many times perhaps, that people around you ask you to go to the so called "Gospel Rally" or "Spiritual Revival Service" whatever it’s called in English.
You might have wondered, what is this all about? What is this "Good Friday" all about?
Or, perhaps when someone approached you and give you an invitation flyer to this Good Friday Gospel Rally, you might think: "hmm I think they are trying to convert me to become a Christian ..."
But, that statement before is only partially correct. Have you ever wondered why do we ask our friends to come for this Gospel Rally? Not only ask, but we zealously go to the street, give flyers to anyone that we can meet on the streets.
It is because we have found the answer to so many questions in our life through Jesus. It is because we have found the assurance in our life through Jesus.
Why on earth are you here? Who created you and for what? What is your life purpose? What is the meaning of your life? Your life is short, yes. Where will you go after the end of your life? What is the real assurance that you can hold in this life?
On Good Friday, two thousand years ago, Jesus had died on the cross, so that those who believe in Him might not perish. In Him, we have our assurance. In Him, we have our hope. In Him, we live.
Quoted from a friend's website, Jesus is our best friend; He dies for you on the cross, He prays together with you wherever and whenever, He leads your life, He gives you strength on your downs and He loves you even when you despise Him.
Would you like to know the answer to the most important questions in life? Would you like to know more about Jesus? Would you like to have an assurance in your life? Would you like to take this invitation, and come to: Good Friday Gospel Rally?
Good Friday Gospel Rally 2010 Rev. Dr. Stephen Tong Friday, 2nd of April 2010 at 16.30 – Public (in Bahasa Indonesia) at 16.30 – Children Service (3 to 10 years old) at 19.30 – Public (Mandarin translated to English) (华译英)
Bartley Christian Church 4 How Sun Drive – Singapore 538526
So, I'm reviving this blog again, perhaps for a greater purpose :P. Anyway, I think it's now the time for me to start something which I have been thinking to start since quite some times ago, but due to the "restriction of income," it is yet to be realized. But now, I believe, it's the time! :P.
The story goes back to the period when I was still in elementary school. My mom has this camera, a popular Canon Rangefinder camera, Canonet QL 17 GIII, and she always brought this camera wherever the family go. I was very curious on how this camera work and started playing around with it, how can I adjust the focus (this is a rangefinder camera, so for you who doesn't know how does a rangefinder work, you can check this out), how to choose between different ISO, how to adjust exposure, et cetera, et cetera. The camera is with me now, but sadly the film-advanced-lever was stuck, though it has been repaired before ><
Now, I'm going to buy a DSLR and currently I have two choices. It's either Canon 50D or Nikon D300, both is prosumer DSLR. Interestingly, I found out that the price of these cameras is cheaper in Indonesia, compared with Singapore, and even much cheaper in Japan. Hmm wish I am in Japan right now, there're many good things that you can find there with good prices.
Well, it's time to choose and I know this hobby won't be cheap either.
My old Canonet G-III QL17. My mom bought this in 1970s and it's still working greatly now!
zooming effect
AYSP: gak tahan
AP: monyong kagak jelas
VZ: no comment
HR: gigi kinclong
