Tuesday, 17 November 2009

every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end

as much as i didn't enjoy my time in jc, and as much as i found my time in poly fulfilling, i still wouldn't consider my year spent in pj as a waste of a year (sorry kellyn, i disagree with you saying that i wasted one year). no it's not a waste, definitely not, because i have gained from that experience too.

it was in pj that i met my teacher, one who is no longer my teacher in a classroom, but one who teaches me about life. i've truly learnt so much from him, not solely about academics but he taught me about life, and living it with meaning. he encouraged me to read the books that matter, he counseled me in my hours of doubt and assured me that following my heart is not mere idealism nor being immature, and he gave me sound advice when i was uncertain.

most importantly, i learnt much about the God that i worship and follow from him. it is because of my koh that my idea of God changed, from a God of dos and don'ts to a benevolent God who loves. i've learnt to not judge people just because they're different, after all, we're not called to judge, we're called to glorify God, and we are not doing that be marginalising people simply because they are different in some ways. we're called to unite, not divide, to love, not loath.

who are we to judge too, we who are sinful ourselves? who are we to deal an absolute right or absolute wrong we who are foolish?

no christianity is never about about holiness, it never has been, in fact, christianity is about brokeness, and more importantly, God's love made perfect through and in spite of men's failings.

i was brought up in a presbyterian church, and i've since left my childhood church, partly because i've come to disagree with the presbyterian's more esoteric theology. i'm not claiming that they are wrong, no that would be judging, but me, being entitled to my own opinion, feel more comfortable in a less conservative congregation.

secondly, i met good friends there. in the mere months that i was in pj, i've made 2 good friends, both of whom i keep in contact with: nick (hey nick, in case you're reading this) and dingzhou, both of whom are rather different. nick's the wise-cracking, my chinese is horrendous, doesn't do sports, guitar playing, video gaming, bub calling dude. ding's the lame football khaki.

i used to play alot of football with ding before he got enlisted, but even now, whenever he plays football he'd drop me a msg or a phone call and ask me along. i see little of him, but when we do see each other, ha, he's one lame joker. he's the kind of friend every guy should have. dependable as a rock, funny, and great sports person (just a little less great then me, hahahaha, nah he plays football alright and we play in different postitions anyhow.).

and nick, ah, what can we say about nick. my fist impression was that he's a bloody whining brat. i recall him spending the entire lunch whining about uncooked rice from the stall, saying that it's too hard inedible. but hell, he's turned into a good friend who offers his point of view from a non-sport playing kind of guy. well and he's pretty funny too. and and great to have a debate with too.

there, 3 big reasons why i didn't waste a year, and i guess there are more.

i do not believe that the experiences life bring us are ever a waste of time. we are where we are because of our past, which moulded and built us. yet the beauty of life is that we are not defined by our past; our future is created by the choices that we make today.

matt,
01:19:00