So my common practice of solving one tricky problem over sleeping has kept me up at this ungodly hour. This is what I love and get annoyed at about myself. It's a satisfaction-rest trade-off. Why can't I have both?
A friend just popped by out of nowhere for two days just to say hi and grab some stuff. I guess I shouldn't complain because I kinda did the same to her and a few other friends as well not too long ago. Great catching up even if it is just a couple of hours in a year.
I've been called a patient man many times before and people always say they wished they had more patience or patience like mine immediately after bestowing that honour upon me. I understand that patience is something that is hard to cultivate in a information driven world where, just like our information, we want it fast and now and this practice of patience is something I also struggle with. But it seems to me that people don't seem to be taking up any effort to build on patience. It seems to me like the same people complain about the same things that I don't normally complain before quickly uttering those words to say that I am a patient man. That seems rather fine and dandy to a slight extent but when you are talking about Christians that complain on the seemingly minor things just because we will not tolerate waiting (and sometimes thinking) awhile, it kinda becomes an issue. It's like we say that we have some patience but isn't apparent in our actions.
One of the fruits of the Spirit is patience, among the other 8 fruits and meant to increase in measure as we proceed with our Christian lives. We are not meant to be lacking in any of those or just obtain a pass but to abound in it. Showing patience may not seem like much but I'd like to argue that it ranks well as being a great lifestyle testimony as a Christian. In fact all 9 fruits of the Spirit are meant to show great testimony as Christians and how we should live as opposed to the other stuff in Galatians 5. Back to the topic, so what do you do when in the presence of a person who lacks patience? Gently correct them of course. And I think this is something that we don't seem to do enough of as Christians. We teach others about understanding the Bible, teach how to love like how Christ loves etc. which are all immensely good things to do but I think we should also teach people on how to be patient because seriously, this is underrated stuff. When Jonah talked to God after God spared Nineveh from total destruction, one of his qualities was that he was slow to anger and I think that implies that God is a patient God, evident enough through the Old Testament. As a side note, I find it slightly ironic that Jonah quotes this about God being slow to anger while he was being angry at God for sparing the Ninevites. Anyway, if we profess to serve a patient God, shouldn't we be patient ourselves?
One small thing to note here is that patience does not equal slackness. God is patient but he is never slack in carrying out his plans. So we can't swing to the other extreme by exercising mind-over-matter-like stances and just say "Nope I'll be "patient" and not do anything about it". There is a limit to patience after which action must be taken. And no complaining when you do take it. God carried out his judgment after being patient towards all the sins committed by his people and who continually disobeyed him even after giving numerous warnings from the prophets.
Now I never claim I am a patient man myself so I'm not being hypocritical about this. I do struggle with other areas in patience while have a rather thick skin on certain minor annoyances. There are some things I can help and there are some things that I'll need help. As Christians, we are meant to be separate from the world and as the world's pace gets ever faster and faster, one way that we can do to be set apart is to be patient.
Brain asplode.
Shotless Lifestyle
Thursday, April 28, 2011
at
2:45 AM
Back from Belgrave and it has been great hearing from 2 Corinthians and Proverbs from two very British preachers. Although it would have been great if I had more will power to stay up during the sermons but it is a bit of a hard task considering that your sleep cycle has been shot to pieces thanks to the past 2 weeks or so. Not to say I didn't try fixing that. I have to say the way Jonathan Lamb speaks is very much like Chris Wright, who happens to be the speaker last year. Probably not too surprised considering that both of them are at Langham Partnership International.
The very long but much needed conversation between three oddballs and a girl is probably something I will remember for awhile and obviously something to think about. Talking until sunrise about hard issues and how to deal with them is tiring and stressful to say the least, but if there is anything that we learned in Belgrave this year is the application of godly wisdom and to uphold Christian integrity in ministry are absolutely crucial for us Christians and I think those two lessons came at a very apt time in the grand scheme of things. These two things are quite fundamentally different qualities a Christian possess compared to the rest of the secular world and one where they are slowly fading away as Christian values are being pushed to a corner, cited as being irrelevant or discriminatory. Sadly, even among Christians this degradation is starting to take its toll among God's people and that we have somehow got sidetracked from living true godly and testimonial lives. Much like the Israelites in the Old Testament where they were to remember their God but they got lost among the pagans and the exact thing they were meant to do, they simply forgot. We might not be at that level of forgetfulness towards God but who's to say that we might get there if we do not practice godliness or godly wisdom. We must not lose heart in our Christian ministry, whether it is a ministry to non-Christians or a ministry for the edification of the Church. Because God is with us.
On a lighter note, been hard at work trying to finish as much of the bulk of assignments due in a couple of weeks time and I have to say I've never been this productive in the past two days. Maybe a little too productive. I'm sure Murphy is around a corner somewhere ready to pounce. I don't trust him.
Oh, and I forgot to take pictures in Belgrave. Kthxbai.
The very long but much needed conversation between three oddballs and a girl is probably something I will remember for awhile and obviously something to think about. Talking until sunrise about hard issues and how to deal with them is tiring and stressful to say the least, but if there is anything that we learned in Belgrave this year is the application of godly wisdom and to uphold Christian integrity in ministry are absolutely crucial for us Christians and I think those two lessons came at a very apt time in the grand scheme of things. These two things are quite fundamentally different qualities a Christian possess compared to the rest of the secular world and one where they are slowly fading away as Christian values are being pushed to a corner, cited as being irrelevant or discriminatory. Sadly, even among Christians this degradation is starting to take its toll among God's people and that we have somehow got sidetracked from living true godly and testimonial lives. Much like the Israelites in the Old Testament where they were to remember their God but they got lost among the pagans and the exact thing they were meant to do, they simply forgot. We might not be at that level of forgetfulness towards God but who's to say that we might get there if we do not practice godliness or godly wisdom. We must not lose heart in our Christian ministry, whether it is a ministry to non-Christians or a ministry for the edification of the Church. Because God is with us.
On a lighter note, been hard at work trying to finish as much of the bulk of assignments due in a couple of weeks time and I have to say I've never been this productive in the past two days. Maybe a little too productive. I'm sure Murphy is around a corner somewhere ready to pounce. I don't trust him.
Oh, and I forgot to take pictures in Belgrave. Kthxbai.
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This Is SPARTA!!!
Friday, April 22, 2011
at
5:32 AM
What a crazy couple of weeks this has been. Loads of work to do and not to mention the compulsory severe lack of sleep just to name a few. The Easter holiday is really no real holiday for me as another two sets of assignments are due 2 weeks after we come back from the holidays. I am even thinking about bring some form of work to Belgrave this time even though I am very most likely to not do any work at all. On the other hand, at least that means I'm going to try and rest well in Belgrave plus 4 days of soaking up God's word.
I can almost smell the finish line.
I can almost smell the finish line.
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That Is Something!...And A Half!
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
at
11:56 PM
Ah Moss. You're still as hilarious as ever.
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ID
Monday, April 4, 2011
at
3:01 AM
It has been a crazy week and it's bound to get crazier. Sleeping 3 hours a day over a week with one of the days sleeping at 10 in the morning. So over the weekend I've been trying to load up on sleep because I'm pretty sure I'll be doing this again not very far from now. Plz halp!
Anyway, no long-ish post on some obscure topic today but I do want to say a couple of things.
One, I've gotten some real face-to-face feedback from one of my friends on one of my blog posts. It is one of those things that keep you going even when in this digital age where anonymity is rampant. No doubt people hiding behind the LED backlights of computers while silently but also sometimes effectively critique every other person's online and sometimes real life actions, myself including and not sparing. But I digress. I feel happy that at least some of my writings/over-thinkings have struck accord with a couple of people and funnily enough it's the people who I hardly talk to most of the time that express some similiarity with what I am thinking. There's something about the identification with another that levels everything. It lifts a person up but also it can humble a man and in a manner that's generally appropriate. Of course there are some tragic exceptions but we will not venture into that. Anyway, that feedback meant that I should keep writing even when it seems that everyone else decides to silently stalk behind their computers, raise an eyebrow going "Hmm." and then browse back to Youbook or Facetube. And that I should drink a lot more before writing. Yeah! Bring in the alcohol!!
Two, read an entry from a friend describing a past relationship which answered a lot of questions I didn't dare/bother to ask in person. In a number of ways, it was kind off the same thing I went through except he dealt with it with a greater level of maturity and clear-headedness than I did. Relationships are very hard, no question about it. Which is probably why I'm slightly phobic in getting into another one given that I still do not act accordingly when the time comes let alone in a relationship which I think is vital, among other things. And of course I'm totally allergic to risk which ultimately plays a big part in a relationship (at least in the early stages). What if it doesn't work out? I'll end up hurting two people instead of just one had I not go into a relationship. It's a pessimistic cost-benefit analysis that has pretty much dictated how I thought, felt and acted in all these years since puberty. And don't get me started on the possibility of being rejected. There are many many people I've gotten to know who has obviously dealt with the relationship issue a lot better than me, my friend included. For now I will cheer these people on from the bleachers because they've clearly done the right thing and should be encouraged to keep doing it, they've just hit a minor speed bump, that's all. Me? I crashed at the first ant hill.
PS: To address the infinitesimally remote possibility that someone is going to comment on the second item, a note of caution. I will not entertain petty in-passing statements like "I'm sure you'll get there too", "Be patient" and the likes. Saying such things mean that you do not understand anything I've said at all or me or the status of a single person in that order of severity. There will be a dip in credibility in someone's books. I won't say who. Choose your words carefully.
Ah damn, it became lengthy again.
Anyway, no long-ish post on some obscure topic today but I do want to say a couple of things.
One, I've gotten some real face-to-face feedback from one of my friends on one of my blog posts. It is one of those things that keep you going even when in this digital age where anonymity is rampant. No doubt people hiding behind the LED backlights of computers while silently but also sometimes effectively critique every other person's online and sometimes real life actions, myself including and not sparing. But I digress. I feel happy that at least some of my writings/over-thinkings have struck accord with a couple of people and funnily enough it's the people who I hardly talk to most of the time that express some similiarity with what I am thinking. There's something about the identification with another that levels everything. It lifts a person up but also it can humble a man and in a manner that's generally appropriate. Of course there are some tragic exceptions but we will not venture into that. Anyway, that feedback meant that I should keep writing even when it seems that everyone else decides to silently stalk behind their computers, raise an eyebrow going "Hmm." and then browse back to Youbook or Facetube. And that I should drink a lot more before writing. Yeah! Bring in the alcohol!!
Two, read an entry from a friend describing a past relationship which answered a lot of questions I didn't dare/bother to ask in person. In a number of ways, it was kind off the same thing I went through except he dealt with it with a greater level of maturity and clear-headedness than I did. Relationships are very hard, no question about it. Which is probably why I'm slightly phobic in getting into another one given that I still do not act accordingly when the time comes let alone in a relationship which I think is vital, among other things. And of course I'm totally allergic to risk which ultimately plays a big part in a relationship (at least in the early stages). What if it doesn't work out? I'll end up hurting two people instead of just one had I not go into a relationship. It's a pessimistic cost-benefit analysis that has pretty much dictated how I thought, felt and acted in all these years since puberty. And don't get me started on the possibility of being rejected. There are many many people I've gotten to know who has obviously dealt with the relationship issue a lot better than me, my friend included. For now I will cheer these people on from the bleachers because they've clearly done the right thing and should be encouraged to keep doing it, they've just hit a minor speed bump, that's all. Me? I crashed at the first ant hill.
PS: To address the infinitesimally remote possibility that someone is going to comment on the second item, a note of caution. I will not entertain petty in-passing statements like "I'm sure you'll get there too", "Be patient" and the likes. Saying such things mean that you do not understand anything I've said at all or me or the status of a single person in that order of severity. There will be a dip in credibility in someone's books. I won't say who. Choose your words carefully.
Ah damn, it became lengthy again.
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The Barbershop Theory
Sunday, March 20, 2011
at
4:22 AM
Every now and then, I think one should revisit some of the major decisions you have made in the past and rant about it in light of new information presented to you in the present. Sure there's no use crying over spilled milk but sometimes there are things/principles that can be learned from our mistakes or failure to decide appropriately when it is time for it. A couple of days ago, that was such a time.
The rankings for US universities for graduate study was just released so out of curiosity I decided to check to see who's on top. So I wandered into the usual categories of math, physics and computer science and all was still within normal ranges. Then when it came to it's sub categories of math, more specifically applied math, I was kinda surprised to see that New York University was on top and on par with MIT. That was particularly interesting because I knew New York was pretty good for applied math but never really though that it would still maintain its position at the top with MIT. When I was applying to the States for PhD programs, I applied to New York University as an afterthought even though I knew then that it was on par with MIT back then. I kinda didn't believe it and thought it was just an anomaly/outlier in the rankings. And of all the unis I applied there, only NYU came back to me with an offer but to do Masters. I rejected it for two reasons, it was not the course that I wanted and that it's located in one of the most expensive places around. Little did I know that that was normal for an international student but never mind. Clicking a few more links and I find myself in what would have become the faculty that I would be spending most of my time in NYU, the Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences. Looking at the subjects taught in the Masters level and the few more subjects needed in the PhD level, that's when I really needed to scream. The subjects were waaaay more interesting and they even cover some of my research interests in greater detail than the rather boring one that I was doing here in Melbourne. Sure it would have taken a lot longer to get a PhD there than in Melbourne but I'd do it anyway.
Armed with this knowledge completes the rub-salt-on-wound scenario. Of all the unis I applied to outside of Melbourne (and bear in mind that back then I had no intention to stay in Melbourne for further studies), the ones that got back to me with offers were the universities that I applied as an afterthought (yes, Cambridge too). Both unis are at the top of their respective games and both had research topics that far interests me than any where else. And yet I rejected both of them for the same two reasons highlighted before not knowing that for both of them it is completely normal and there are many ways around it. Significant financing can some how be found one way or the other and with good results in Masters, I can be fast tracked to the PhD course. Woe is me who never knew of such things. Oh the pain.
But wait, I'm not crying over spilled milk. What have I gained now that I've remained in Melbourne, doing something completely different (to an extent)? Meeting, observing and supporting awesome people I've met in the past 2 years. Being involved in a great deal of things that I can never imagine myself doing with them makes the apparent sacrifice not so bad after all. Hence a great deal of good came out of this "ordeal".
So what have I found under this big rock of the past? Don't underestimate the things done as an afterthought. And neither should you underestimate the events following the mistakes. They might come as a surprise to you, and a pleasant one I might add. Also, it is even more apparent now, like great war strategy principles, knowing is half the battle. Information is vital to decision making. Do whatever you can to obtain information early before deciding. That was probably the biggest mistake I made then.
I like to think of the timeline of major decision making as a bit like getting your hair cut. When the time comes to have your hair cut, you sometimes get a good cut and sometimes you get a bad one. And sometimes you think you like the cut but seconds later after stepping out of the shop, you hate it again and vice versa. But then as weeks go by, your hair grows back until it's time for another hair cut and the process repeats. The next time you have your hair cut, all worries, rants and lamentations on your previous hair cut are nowhere to be seen, only the prospect of the new hair cut. The result of our decisions may result in good or bad outcomes or times where I've made the wrong choice but hey look what I found or I think I made the right choice and it's giving me pain now. Regardless, time will pass by until we are faced with another major decision to make, even the good ones or the blessing-in-disguise ones will just pass by like it didn't matter (well, it kinda does but that's for another time). Life goes on and to see how the next decision plays out and not the previous ones made.
So cheesy/corny/full-of-nonsense right?
The rankings for US universities for graduate study was just released so out of curiosity I decided to check to see who's on top. So I wandered into the usual categories of math, physics and computer science and all was still within normal ranges. Then when it came to it's sub categories of math, more specifically applied math, I was kinda surprised to see that New York University was on top and on par with MIT. That was particularly interesting because I knew New York was pretty good for applied math but never really though that it would still maintain its position at the top with MIT. When I was applying to the States for PhD programs, I applied to New York University as an afterthought even though I knew then that it was on par with MIT back then. I kinda didn't believe it and thought it was just an anomaly/outlier in the rankings. And of all the unis I applied there, only NYU came back to me with an offer but to do Masters. I rejected it for two reasons, it was not the course that I wanted and that it's located in one of the most expensive places around. Little did I know that that was normal for an international student but never mind. Clicking a few more links and I find myself in what would have become the faculty that I would be spending most of my time in NYU, the Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences. Looking at the subjects taught in the Masters level and the few more subjects needed in the PhD level, that's when I really needed to scream. The subjects were waaaay more interesting and they even cover some of my research interests in greater detail than the rather boring one that I was doing here in Melbourne. Sure it would have taken a lot longer to get a PhD there than in Melbourne but I'd do it anyway.
Armed with this knowledge completes the rub-salt-on-wound scenario. Of all the unis I applied to outside of Melbourne (and bear in mind that back then I had no intention to stay in Melbourne for further studies), the ones that got back to me with offers were the universities that I applied as an afterthought (yes, Cambridge too). Both unis are at the top of their respective games and both had research topics that far interests me than any where else. And yet I rejected both of them for the same two reasons highlighted before not knowing that for both of them it is completely normal and there are many ways around it. Significant financing can some how be found one way or the other and with good results in Masters, I can be fast tracked to the PhD course. Woe is me who never knew of such things. Oh the pain.
But wait, I'm not crying over spilled milk. What have I gained now that I've remained in Melbourne, doing something completely different (to an extent)? Meeting, observing and supporting awesome people I've met in the past 2 years. Being involved in a great deal of things that I can never imagine myself doing with them makes the apparent sacrifice not so bad after all. Hence a great deal of good came out of this "ordeal".
So what have I found under this big rock of the past? Don't underestimate the things done as an afterthought. And neither should you underestimate the events following the mistakes. They might come as a surprise to you, and a pleasant one I might add. Also, it is even more apparent now, like great war strategy principles, knowing is half the battle. Information is vital to decision making. Do whatever you can to obtain information early before deciding. That was probably the biggest mistake I made then.
I like to think of the timeline of major decision making as a bit like getting your hair cut. When the time comes to have your hair cut, you sometimes get a good cut and sometimes you get a bad one. And sometimes you think you like the cut but seconds later after stepping out of the shop, you hate it again and vice versa. But then as weeks go by, your hair grows back until it's time for another hair cut and the process repeats. The next time you have your hair cut, all worries, rants and lamentations on your previous hair cut are nowhere to be seen, only the prospect of the new hair cut. The result of our decisions may result in good or bad outcomes or times where I've made the wrong choice but hey look what I found or I think I made the right choice and it's giving me pain now. Regardless, time will pass by until we are faced with another major decision to make, even the good ones or the blessing-in-disguise ones will just pass by like it didn't matter (well, it kinda does but that's for another time). Life goes on and to see how the next decision plays out and not the previous ones made.
So cheesy/corny/full-of-nonsense right?
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KHAAAAAANNN!!!!
Saturday, March 12, 2011
at
2:05 AM
I have been interested and a big advocate for proper science and math education for a long time and I have to say that this man has probably done more about the advancement of how we think about education than anyone else in the world. And all he did was just do an online version of educational videos. Then everything exploded. From a fairly low tech teaching tool of just a pen, tablet and screen capturing tool to a full blown website chock full of features to help teachers devote more time and attention to the students who are really in need. This really is the future of education where the world is just one big classroom. Full of Youtube videos. And the best thing is that, his videos are not restricted to science and math. But I have to say it works exceptionally well for science and math.
His teaching methodology and principles however are not something new or at least for me. While the use of education videos are probably as old as television itself and his principle of humanizing the classroom has been around for awhile now, it's the marriage of the two that makes his work so profound. On hindsight, I got a glimpse of that when I was in A-Levels in the form of my two Further Mathematics teachers. While they still gave lectures, spending most of their time giving a roughly one-size-fits-all lecture and marking papers, their teaching methodology was very similiar to what Salman had done (except without the videos). They intuitively knew who were the ones that needed help and spent the remaining spare time helping them than those (myself including) who were just a tad bit slow in understanding, say differential equations and proof by induction. Because they knew the other people who got it fast can help the slower ones. The math exercises were by the bucket full but it was necessary for us to keep on the bicycle, so Salman uses the metaphor, until we understood. Of course back then it was rather infeasible to do what Salman and his academy did but essentially my teachers did it.
It was ultimately because of them that I had this immense love of mathematics, something rather rare among Asians beyond getting through an exam in high school or first year uni math and of course the reason why I pursued my undergraduate degree (and potentially a PhD) in mathematics. Had I not have the wonderful tutoring of the two teachers, I might have wound up in a completely different area, something more mainstream, something more Asian. And I'd probably be a bit less appreciative. A by-product of their teaching was the revelation of bringing that same style of teaching to educate others that science and math isn't that hard to get and that is OK to love science and math. I've always been a firm believer that most people would love science and math if taught properly or had a good teacher. As evident from his academy, awesome tools that help teachers and students get the most out of understanding these difficult subjects is also a big plus point. But the technology by itself cannot replace the human aspect of the teacher in the classroom, as in we cannot learn effectively from just the internet or, in the near future, robots. For some unknown higher level cognitive/psychological reason, we learn the best when there's human presence around as found out by some human development psychologists researching on language in babies. The goal of humanizing technology (crudely speaking, making ourselves cyborgs) where we learn and interactive with technology on a daily basis but still maintain our relational human identity seems to be the general trend for today and tomorrow's people.
By the way, it is because of this man that I learned what really went wrong during the financial crash of 2008 from his videos. And since then I've been rather interested in the economics of a crash and brought me to the beginnings of behavioral economics. So I have experienced first hand what this guy is capable of, teaching wise.
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