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Calligraphy 1
26 Saturday Jul 2014
Posted Art, Calligraphy
in26 Saturday Jul 2014
Posted Art, Calligraphy
inTags
25 Friday Jul 2014
Posted Acheivement, Adventure, Travel
inAs my ‘passing first-year’ present, my awesome sis brought me horse riding. It was a public holiday and we were off to the outskirts of Buenos Aires to a horse riding school! An uncontained sense of excitement swept me off my feet as I thought about galloping on the horses.
The weather was lovely. The sun had a warm glow that accentuated the existing extravagant beauty. I rode the lovely Isabelle and explored different terrains. I learnt how to walk, trot and canter on my horse. Midway, there was exhaustion and frustration but slowly I regained my posture and focus. I rode Isabella with more control and confidence.
I ended the journey with a sense of achievement. I had learnt a lot in 3 hours and I savoured the moment of satisfaction as I looked at the beautiful companion of my journey. Her black and white coat was warm and comforting, her hair, long and free. She was mild and sweet. I felt a sense of awe as I admired her. God is great and his creation is more marvellous than we can imagine. A fantastic and unforgettable experience. Caballos a la Par!
Horse riding on my bucket list? Tick!
25 Friday Jul 2014
Posted Book Review
inTags
Barack Obama, Book Review, confused identity, descrimination, discipline, Dreams from my Father, experience, global citizen, identity, memoir, racism, roots
Dreams From My Father by Barack Obama
July 2014
In the esteemed yet controversial memoir, Barack Obama tells a compelling story of his life – personal, determined and colourful in experiences yet so heartbreakingly full of unwanted truths. While it is a story of discovering one’s identity and roots, it also brings out the discrimination and cruelty prevalent in the world. It reminds us that we cannot escape our roots, that our cultural heritage plays a role in the universal journey of becoming who we are. Our race and nationality is not chosen but a gift.
The book got me thinking about a number of things – the first being race and discrimination. Man’s inherent evil to segregate, hate and despise. The second would be attitude – confidence versus pride. It was the confidence of Obama’s father and grandfather that made them exceptional men. They were confident and unafraid of change. They welcomed the unknown and sought new adventures. They didn’t mind being different but their downfall was their pride. Their prized intellect took away their humility, the capability to admit that they needed help. The third and final point would be that hard work pays off. Obama’s discipline as a child to wake up at 4 a.m. every morning to study with his mother was impressive. His motivation and drive to fight for a better cause in his younger days as a community organiser was remarkable. His work ethic today is exemplary. His discipline is to be admired.
Through the book, I realised that the President has so much more to himself than the smooth speeches and vibrant smile. I believe he would never have written the book in this fashion if he knew he was going to run for President. He would have told a tale that was much more voter-friendly. He would have painted another picture. That’s one reason I would recommend the book, an insight on the President of the United States that isn’t tainted by the ever-complicating issues of politics.
Being a global citizen, I empathize with his plight, his search for his identity. But while he may have reconciled his search with an awareness of his heritage and of self-discovery, I find my inheritance in being a child of the Lord Most High. A Father who is sovereign and compassionate, who sent His Son to die an excruciating death for my sins and shortcomings.
Would recommend the book but don’t be surprise if you get a little depressed along the way!
Favourite quote:
They both disturbed and comforted me , those trees that looked as if they might uproot themselves and simply walk away, were it not for the knowledge that on this earth one place is not so different from another – the knowledge that one moment carried within it all that’s gone before.
22 Tuesday Jul 2014
Posted Book Review
inTags
communication skills, Dale Carnegie, How to win friends and influence people, learning, popular books
How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
July 2014
Written and published almost a century ago, this book is still read and cherished by many today. After reading it, I understood why its popularity stood firm through the ages with 15 million copies sold. It was simple: It held timeless truths about areas we all want to improve in.
It is a great book! It doesn’t have a thrilling storyline or twisted plot with an old-fashioned villain or charming prince with elves by his side but it is a completely different genre.
Communicating effectively, managing personal relationships and developing people skills. I highly recommend this book for those who are motivated to climb the ladder of success. In fact, it’s so good that I would recommend you to buy a copy and read it once every two years!
Things I learnt from the book:
The prime interest of adults is health. The second interest is developing skills in human relationship. People yearn to master the technique of getting along and influencing other people.
6 ways to make people like you:
12 ways of advocating your ideas:
9 ways of challenging without offending:
6 ways to improve general people skills:
18 Friday Jul 2014
Posted Acheivement, Adventure, Exams
inTags
Acheivement, Attitude, Boarderline, Determined, Exams, First Class, Focus, Productive
I hadn’t been focused enough in Year 1 and now I was determined to be focused in Year 2. No more fun and games. No more fooling around. I came up with an AAR (After Action Review) and basic layout for next year. I have it on a written piece of paper.
But for Year 2:
If completed revision during the week, the weekend is free. If not, no relaxing or slacking off.
Say NO to going out with friends!
Say NO to drama and movies!
Prioritise time and people!
Join the tennis team
I may have achieved a borderline result. I may have a borderline focus. But with the right attitude and discipline, I will be borderline genius (at least I hope so!)
16 Wednesday Jul 2014
Posted Acheivement
inA few days ago I had a Shell scholarship telephone interview. However, since I was travelling, they accommodated with a Skype interview instead of the traditional telephone interview. It was a rather straightforward interview but to my dismay, I couldn’t shine or show them my strengths. I wasn’t prepared for the questions and at the spur of the moment, I was unable to come up with substantial points.
I remind myself that an interview performance boils down to practice. If I don’t pass the interview this time, at least I’ll have had a practice round for the next interviews.
An interview is like an exam. You have a set amount of time and you have to answer the questions. You will be marked and given a score. You might be the best candidate but if you can’t prove this during the 45 minutes, you are likely to fail the interview. The loophole is that if you can communicate well, you don’t have to be the best candidate. There is no right and wrong answer. There is only a poor or good or excellent answer.
16 Wednesday Jul 2014
Posted Book Review
inTags
Book Review, Equestrian, Family Drama, Flying Changes, Horse, Horse-riding, love, Sara Gruen, SIncere, trust
Flying Changes by Sara Gruen
June 2014
The same author, Sara Gruen wrote Water for Elephants which became a major motion picture. Flying Changes was a book I read during my stay at Estancia Santa Maria. It is a good read if you’re a aspiring star in the equestrian circuit or a more casual South-American gaucho but if you’re not interested in horses or family dramas, you can skip this one.
The book revolves around Eva, a rebellious 16 year-old and her over-protective mother, Annemarie Zimmer. Both have a burning passion and sincere love for the horses they ride. When Eva goes to a competitive horse riding academy, Annemarie is forced to face her fears caused by the trauma of her past. Each time Eva takes a jump, she is reminded of her tragic fall. Amidst the conflict, there are a string of family dramas which complicate the plot and add spice to the story.
I believe the real take away for me was the relationship between the horse and the rider. The horses were loyal and each have a personality to themselves. Stubborn or subdued, they loved their masters. It was a two-way beautiful relationship based on trust. Almost inspiring I suppose.
07 Monday Jul 2014
Posted Book Review
inTags
12th Century, BBC Big Reads, Book Review, Characters, England, Good, Jack Jackson, Ken Follett, Kingsbridge, The Pillars of the Earth
The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett
June 2014
A truly fascinating book. A detailed and gripping narrative set in 12th century England, filled with civil wars, church politics and the starving working class. It is no surprise that it has been ranked number 33 of BBC big reads!
I believe one of the most beautiful aspects of the book is how all the different characters are linked together as their fates intertwine.
Tom, a master builder who has set his eyes on the building the most beautiful church in England but is out of work for the entire harsh winter. His wife abruptly dies in childbirth and his tragic plight leads to the unexpected turn out events. He meets a new enchanting partner and his new born son will inevitably link him to another lead character, Phillip.
Phillip, a faithful and pious monk who works his way up in the ranks of the church with the goal to glorify God. Though he doesn’t wrestle with issues like chastity, he struggles with his pride and sense of superiority as he refuses to be a pawn in a chess game between unscrupulous bishops and corrupt earls struggling for power. Stuck in the middle of a bloody fight for an earldom and pushing for the development of his forsaken town of Kingsbrigde, he is a intriguing and definitely well loved character.
Aliena, a beautiful heroine who makes all the character swoon with admiration. Smart, passionate and resourceful, she gets what she wants but the road is long and full of suffering. After a life time of privileges and luxury, she is cast out of her castle and earldom, disgraced and utterly penniless but is able to make a comeback and eventually reclaim her inheritance. She is truly a strong and self-made women. She goes through unrivalled suffering and difficulties but after several decades, she finally pulls through. She emerges as a victor with all the adversaries dead. She lives with the man she loves, her children are happy and her earldom is even more prosperous than it was when her father ruled it.
Jack Jackson, very much the main character who pulls all the other characters together. He is Tom’s stepson and Ellen’s son from her first love. Through this, his stepbrother is the dimwitted Alfred and sensible Jonathan which eventually links to Phillip. His stepsister is the gentle Martha and he marries Aliena. His interaction with Tom leaves him with the dream if building a cathedral and own father indirectly links him to William and Waleran Bigod. He is the bridge and without him, all the pieces fall apart. He starts off as a socially awkward but very intelligent young boy. At the end, he is the master builder of the most magnificent church in England and the lover of the breathtakingly beautiful Aliena.
Other characters like Ellen, William Hamleigh, Alfred and Waleran Bigod are no less interesting and each plays a vital role to the plot. In fact there are even further characters which play their own part in the excitement and emotion of the story. However, a simple description would not do the characters any justice.
The depth and breath of characters in the novel is wonderful. While you detest and abhor some, you will most definitely fall in love with others. Due to the length of the book, spanning over 3 generations in term of characters, it unquestionably allows fantastic character development.
It also subtly brings allows the reader to ponder upon several aspects. Through the thickened plot, one has plenty of time to ponder upon simple themes that are so elaborately brought out in the book. One example would be the theme of love. Phillip’s love for God drives him love others who are not as pious or righteous as himself. His love for others also motivates him to become prior and seek a better life for those around him. Tom’s quite love for his first wife, Agnes, his intriguing yet passionate love for Ellen and most of all his obstinate and unyielding love of building his beloved cathedral shows his love is unique to each. Aliens and Jack are the star-crossed lovers as they overcome many difficulties to be together and finally at the end, their love triumphs. Though I have chosen to elaborate on love, there are other themes which are a lot less pleasant like brutality and violence as characters like William Hamleigh and Alfred force respect through fear and violence.
It’s a good read indeed!
07 Monday Jul 2014
Posted Book Review
inThe Fault in Our Stars by John Green
June 2014
With the new movie and the recent craze among my course mates, I decided to give this book a shot. As I have always said, the original source is the best; it’s better to read the book before you watch the movie.
Unfortunately, tragic cancer novels never really turned me on. For me, this was typical of that genre, very much full of bravado and no bite. The hype of the-infinite-set of five star reviews brought my hopes up but didn’t meet my expectation. However, don’t let my review put you off, I know quite a lot of people who liked it.
A heart rendering love story, yes. But there wasn’t enough twist or excitement. There wasn’t anything that blew my mind or left me on the edge of my seat, eyes peeled for the next scene. It was the typical girl meets boy and they fall in love. There was no mystique, no action, just pity and self examination. If the world didn’t welcome Bella, I don’t understand why they loved Hazel Grace Lancaster.
Though there were several shortcomings, I did find some beautiful quotes. And with good comments, I shall end:
“You don’t get to choose if you get hurt in this world…but you do have some say in who hurts you. I like my choices.”
“Grief does not change you, Hazel. It reveals you.”
“But it is the nature of stars to cross, and never was Shakespeare more wrong than when he has Cassius note, ‘The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars / But in ourselves.”
07 Monday Jul 2014
Tags
Argentina, beautiful, caballos, estancia, experience, holiday, horses, love, memories, Psalm 8, royalty, Santa Maria, sister, sunset, travel
Near the little town of Gualeguaychu, far off from the hustle and bustle of any city, we were the only guest at the Estancia Santa Maria. It was beautiful experience. I loved the warmth of the place and the hospitality of the people. It was my first estancia experience and definitely a memorable one. We were treated like royalty and were served at our slightest whim. I savoured fresh quality produce and read novels by the fireplace till I would gently drift off to sleep. It was like a dream. A silent night with beautiful dreams.
The sunset said it all. A picture that is worth a thousand words.
Lord, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
The estancia also spoke freedom and memories. We make our memories and chose our paths. Though we have a Master, we are ultimately given the choice whether we want to obey him.
P.s. My horse wasn’t very obedient. It was rather lazy haha
Finally, memorable moments are best shared with those you love. I would like to thank my dear sister for hosting me for the summer and treating me to this lovely experience! So happy to share these special moments with you, sis! 🙂