My Journal

The musical was a success… The one that I was very pessimistic about… But it was a success…. I don’t really understand what happened. But, nevertheless, it is a grace that everything can go very smoothly.

Talking to all my catechism students that was involved in the musical:
Good job everyone! Very good job! I hope that this musical can bring you all together. That you may know each other better. And that you all may benefit and grow from that relationship. May you also learn something from this musical.

Talking to all who helps this musical:
Without you, every single of you, this musical will not be like this. Everything was very smooth because of you. Each person is a gear that can enable the machinery to work well. Good job everyone! Some of you have last minute call from me. Thank you very much for responding very generously.

As for me:
Smile wide =), hahaha.

As for somebody up there:
Thank you so much…. It is a miracle…….May this be kept inside each of our heart well, about Your work.

This one is adapted from "The Witch of Portobello" by Paulo Coelho (He is the one that wrote "The Alchemist", if you have read it. I haven’t ever read it too, though =P. He writes interesting books)

The Blacksmith

I shape metals. I burn, hammer, put them into cold water and hammer them again until they get into the shape that I want. But, well, sometimes the metal does not withstand the tampering, cold, and heat and it cracks. Then, I have to throw it into the heap of scrap metal that is just in front of my smithy.

Oh, how God also puts me into the very same furnace of life, under the hammer of misfortune, till I feel cold because of indifference. Still I failed to take shape.
.
.
.
My only prayer is so that my Lord won’t throw me away into the scrap heap of souls of His heavenly smithy. And I know He won’t.

It has already been some time since I last updated my blog. Too busy these days. Writing report, retreat preparation, catechism class projects =S…. I’ll settle them one by one, step by step…

Some shout outs:

1. (The one I posted on my profile page) Live like there is no tomorrow, can I?

2. Coffee, tea, and chocolate drink. All caffeine.. Dunno, I consumed a lot of them lately. Morning: milk+milo+coffee 3 in 1, haha, must try! Nice. Afternoon: tea. Effect: Eyes wide opened in the afternoon, haha (as long as the effect does not continue until midnight….), happy without any reason (do you realize that? It has been proven by 3 persons that CAFFEINE CHANGE YOUR MOOD…. Scary…), toilet….. yes yes…. Caffeine is diuretic….

3. Attachment report within 2 weeks…. Counting down…. And slow progress is being made…. Shoot…..

4. Better luck next time =), and

5. Don’t worry, be happy, coz when you worry, you make it double.

I got this from one of my friends. Just the words that I need. Thanks a zillion to him =).

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HANDY LITTLE CHART   
God has a positive answer

YOU say
God  says (Bible Verse(s))

You say: "It’s impossible"
God says: All things are possible(Luke 18:27)

You say: "I’m too tired"
God says: I will give you rest(Matthew 11:28-30)

You say: "Nobody really loves me"
God says: I love you(John 3:1 6 & John3:34 )

You say: "I can’t go on"
God says: My grace is sufficient(II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)

You say: "I can’t figure things out"
God says: I will direct your steps(Proverbs 3:5- 6)

You say: "I can’t do it"
God says: You can do all things(Philippians 4:13)

You say: "I’m not able"
God says: I am able(II Corinthians 9:8)

You say: "It’s not worth it"
God says: It will be worth it(Roman 8:28 )

You say: "I can’t forgive myself"
God says: I Forgive you(I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)

You say: "I can’t manage"
God says: I will supply all your needs(Philippians 4:19)

You say: "I’m afraid"
God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear(II Timothy 1:7)

You say: "I’m always worried and frustrated"
God says: Cast all your cares on ME(I Peter 5:7)

You say: "I’m not smart enough"
God says: I give you wisdom(I Corinthians 1:30)

You say: "I feel all alone"
God says: I will never leave you or forsake you.(Hebrews 13:5)

God determines who walks into your life….it’s up to you to decide who
you let walk away, who you let stay, and who you refuse to let go."
Keep people in your circle that are doing more than you so you will never become complacent and you will always strive for more
"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you  meet is fighting some kind of battle."

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Regards,
Gibran

Short Film (approx 33 mins) "The Most" or The Bridge in Czech.
Seriously 2 thumbs up!!

The story is about the close relationship between a bridge-master (the one who raise and lower the bridge for trains) and his son. One day, he brought his son to his workplace. However, a series of event led him to choose between the life of many passengers or his son. Just guess the end of the story ;).

A really touching film. Plus very emotionally involving. The film maker successfully pictures the very close relationship between the father and his son. However, in the same time, he also gives snippets of the life-story of some of the passengers.

The story ends with the bridge master meeting one of the train’s passenger who witnessed the very act of virtue. That particular passenger was under depression and consumed drugs. Her life changed forever.

More info and its trailer can be found in www.MostTheMovie.com.

Peace,
Gibran
P.S. The love of the Father that sacrifices His only son for the good of all humanity…. Only a few believed, only a few appreciated it… However, that changed the life of many… and that few multiplied….

Dari www.sciencedaily.com:

"Researchers from the University of Warwick, and University College London, have found that lack of sleep can more than double the risk of death from cardiovascular disease. However they have also found that point comes when too much sleep can also more than double the risk of death."

Katanya, yang tidurnya 5 jam atau kurang kena 1.7x increased mortality risk oleh berbagai macam sebab dan 2x increased mortality risk karena penyakit jantung… Sedang yang tidurnya lebih dari 8 jam itu more than twice as likely to die as those who had not changed their habit….

Errrm artikelnya serem banget…. Gimana neh anak2 NTU?? Tobat? Hadohhhh. Arahkan pertanyaan ke diri sendiri dl d ><

I got this story from one of my friend, Dhika.
He told me that he was reading an article written by Michael Joncas, the composer of the song "On Eagle’s Wings". More or less, the main thing that is discussed is this:

Why is it always on an Eagle’s Wings? There are a lot of songs, writings, etc, that call to God as an eagle. Here is the insight why is that so.

A mother eagle will carry her child, who is learning to fly, on her back. She will bring him/her to a great high. *Imagine yourself rising above the clouds carried by His gentle hand* However, after she reaches a certain high, she will begin to shake her back so as to drop her child. And her child will begin to flap his/her wings, trying to fly as hard as he/she can. And surely, after some time, he/she will begin to fall down. This, the mother eagle will quickly fly under her child to catch it and she will restart the whole process again…

Don’t you think that it is also the same as our God? Maybe the words "God will not put us under a test which is above our ability" mean this (Dhika’s words):
God would like us to always learn, to extend our limit. That is why He put us under tests. Maybe we cannot go through the test alone, just like the child eagle who cannot fly by him/herself. However, we always have our God who will catch us when we start to fall. And, surely, He will restart the whole process again… Until we are able to fly as He is…

The Light of the world who died on a tree
Bless and guide us with your radiance
Be with us and show us the path to eternal life
we, who live in darkness…….

Well.. This is a bit of Christianity

At first I did not think that this is a good photograph. But more and more of my friends told me that it is actually a nice shot. So, I decided to post it on my blog.

At first I was thinking to put this as my display picture, however, I think, by doing that, people will regard this as my own. The picture is simply not my own… Just take it if you think it is a nice picture.

Regards,
Gibran

Apa yah…. Inspirasi….. Tadi siang kayaknya gua punya banyak hal yang bisa gua tulis di blog gua. Sayang, pas istirahat siang tadi, gua milih buat baca novel. "The Witch of Portobello" oleh Paulo Coelho, orang yang sama yang mengarang "The Alchemist". Novel mutu. Dianjurkan bagi orang2 yang sedang mencari jati diri, arti hidup, dan arti cinta. Ciehh, cinta boo.

Hmmm, beberapa hal yang kepikiran buat ditulis:
1. Pengalaman beberapa minggu lalu. Pengen ditulis dari dulu, tapi gak pernah sempet. Sepulang magang, seperti biasa, gua nunggu bus. Akhirnya sang bus yang ditunggu2 datang. Tetapi orang2 berbondong2 menyerbu bus itu. Wadoeh, rame abiesss. Gua udah berpikir untuk ikut mereka, tetapi pada akhirnya gua memutuskan untuk menunggu bus selanjutnya. Yah, 10 menit lagi lah…. Pengen cepet2 pulang sih. But, guess what happen, the next bus comes as soon as that bus went. Dan bus yang ini sepi. Thx God! Gak perlu berdesak2an.

Pelajaran yang didapat: Orang sabar disayang Tuhan. Kadang melepas sesuatu yang ada di genggaman tangan adalah hal yang terbaik.

2. Living in this world is not about making sure that you do not fall, but it is about making sure that you rise again everytime you fall down

3. Tadi pagi dapet miracle… Entah kenapa tadi pagi gua ngerasa loss in my purpose of life (belakangan ini sering ngerasa gitu seh), tapi di saat2 gua lagi penat2nya mikirin itu purpose, tiba2 renungan pagi yang gua baca berkata: "Don’t worry, everything will be all right". Itu renungan lagi bercerita tentang seorang ayah yang ngebikin nyasar satu keluarganya waktu piknik. Tapi anaknya menghibur dia dengan berkata yang gua tulis tadi itulah. Yah… Kadang dalam idup kita juga suka ngerasa loss sih. Tapi Tuhan selalu bilang, jangan khawatir, aku selalu di sisimu.

Miracle kedua, pas gua lagi baca buku tentang rosario: God saves the soul of men through the rosary of Our Lady. She, who brought Jesus and His church to the world, will bring you to Jesus. Tiba2 ada tante2 yang lagi doa rosario bediri di deket gua. Encouragement, I believe.

Hmm, oke, segitu dulu deh. Mau tidur. Good nite all!

I am not in a mood to blog… However, here I go.

Dear readers,

I wrote this for all men who are in ‘despo’ mode. Either because they are rejected by a girl, or just broke up.

I just watched the Phantom of the Opera movie. My friend borrowed the DVD, so we watched together. Interesting story, very good music (Christine and Phantom sing tremendously well.. Woah.. Still fascinated by them), great scenes and cinematography (A lot of dramatic scenes. Sometimes, I feel like I am in a RPG game. Haha. However, it’s a musical after all. There has to be an element of fantasy inside), etc

Of all the things that I could observe from the movie, one thing that really struck me. It’s the scene when Christine had to choose between her freedom or Raoul’s (her lover) life, threatened by Phantom. Well, however I see it not from Christine’s point of view, but from Phantom’s point of view.

You’ve heard of true love, right? It is when a person love another person to death. Sometimes guys (or, at least, me, haha), can easily conclude that a certain girl is my true love and I am certain that I will marry her or I am willing to wait for her even though there is only 0.0001% of chance that she will love me back, etc. And I even consider that as something very beautiful to do, very ideal. But maybe sometimes I forgot to consider the word ‘easily conclude’. Is it really a true love, or is it just my own emotion that dictates my action??

Phantom has a true love for Christine. In the end of the movie, after so many years, when Christine had died, Phantom returned the engagement ring that Christine gave him as a memento. Together with a red rose with black ribbon that he usually gave Christine. Is this just a sentimental act or does he still love her after all those years? It seems that the answer is the later since Phantom is pictured as always lonely in the closing credits roll song of the movie. True love…. Very ideal, right??

Phantom realized that what he had done all are wrong after Christine had said something like this: I choose Raoul’s life than my freedom. But I do not do that only for the sake of Raoul. You are living in darkness, let me guide you, let me be your light! - well this is my own interpretation. This is the turning point of Phantom’s life. How very grateful he should be to her. And I think, this is a very strong reason to love a person until you die. Can you find that reason? Or is it just a temporary emotion or maybe even obsession?

I wrote this, it is not that I condemn love. I just feel that we cannot rely too much on emotion, which guys usually tend to do when they fall in love. We also need to put our mind into perspective.