Wednesday, March 25, 2009
this is a letter i wrote to Today, a newspaper publication in singapore. not sure if it will be published, but just wanted to share with you all...
As a Singaporean studying overseas, the challenges that international students here face, is an issue that is close to my heart as I am able to empathize with them. Going overseas to study, is not just a matter of geographical relocation, we also bid farewell to our family and friends.
Many international students suffer from homesickness, especially if our host country is vastly different from our home country. Just imagine being all alone, without a familiar face by your side, adjusting to the demands of a tertiary education. The price of your favourite local delights like Hainanese chicken rice is at least double or triple that in Singapore and you may have to travel 30-60 minutes to find a place that sells it, only to find it tastes nothing like what you have in Singapore. Regardless of how much you may like other types of food, going for months without the comfort of local food can be very depressing. The feeling of isolation is exacerbated if the locals do not speak a language you are fluent in.
Most students like me, learn for the first time how to look after ourselves when studying overseas. Independence is a double-edged sword that could mean being away from the watchful eyes of our parents as well as having to be responsible for day-to-day living, like cooking, ironing, grocery shopping and budgeting, things that we may never have to worry about if we stayed at home. The lack of parental supervision may sound like a dream to some. However it could also result in being exposed to harmful influences, with nobody to stop us going onto the wrong track.
It is with deep sadness that I read about how a parent worries for her child’s well-being in school and other negative feedback about how we Singaporeans treat international students. I do not wish to believe that this is the norm, but I feel that we, especially local students, can do more to ensure that our international students have fond memories of their studies here.
One of the greatest joys for me as an international student in Australia is not only being able to get to know Australians and their culture, but also the multitude of other nationalities that have congregated there, including Japanese, Zimbabwean and Pacific Islanders. It is truly an eye-opening experience but one does not have to study overseas to experience it. You can do so staying in Singapore by simply befriending an international student. Trust me, it will certainly be rewarding, at the very least, you would have gained a friend.
Having interacted with the locals in Australia, I can also understand their point of view. Some of them do not know how to approach us international students. A number have never travelled outside Australia and may be afraid of interacting with us lest they offend us. However, I have taken the initiative in getting to know them and have since forged many friendships.
Cliques occur everywhere and are definitely not limited to schools in Singapore. It is a natural human instinct to group with others who are similar to oneself, hence the proverb, “birds of a feather flock together”. It takes a considerable amount of effort to get to know and develop relationships with another from a different background to oneself. University life is hectic and fast paced, which makes it unsurprising that many, both Singaporeans and foreigners alike, would choose the easier path of hanging out with one’s own countrymen.
There is nothing essentially wrong with that as sometimes cultural preferences (for example, the pub culture in Australia is not my cup of tea as I am allergic to alcohol), makes it difficult for those of different backgrounds to develop close bonds. However, assimilation and integration is a two-way process. Both local and international students have to be willing to broaden their horizons and have the eagerness to learn and accept each other’s differences. Being culturally exclusive is similar to being a frog in a well that refuses to accept the existence of a world beyond the well.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Yesterday, I finally managed to attend a service of Adam Road Presbytarian Church (ARPC). For those who don't know, or forgot, I made 2 failed attempts in previous years to visit this church to have a look and the fact that I went all the way to Adam Road/ Kuo Chuan Presbytarian only to see a closed door, was one of the deciding factors for me to stay in Moriah. Back then, I was still wondering should I stay in Moriah or not and was looking for a church that I might settle in instead. Now that I have decided to go to Moriah for these few months, I took up an opportunity to visit ARPC with a friend.
The service was quite conservative, but obviously not as conservative as Moriah (who can be?). Non-charismatic but we sang a few Hillsongs songs and modern hymns, very similar to my OCF in Adelaide. I was introduced to a few new songs by Keith and Kristyn Getty.
Speak, O Lord - jhael
There Is a Higher Throne - Getty, Keith & Kristyn
Ps Christopher Chua preached on Christ and culture, how in these last days, people will be lovers of self, money and pleasure but not of God (2 Timothy 3:1-5). In my only quiet time the last few days, I have been searching my own heart and judging my own behaviour. I have been waiting for the various kindergartens to get back to me so that I can start working with the children for my research project. However, in the past month or so, I have been calling up, mailing out letters and waiting. I tried researching more on my topic, but I have hit either dead ends or been reading what I have already read. I ended up watching a lot of shows to pass time. The amount of time I have wasted this way is truly obscene and I have begun to loathe my idle self. In the past week, I suffered from misdirected love, choosing to love myself and pleasure before God. And all I can say, I wasn't happy.
You may be working hard in school or at work and envy the holiday that I seem to be having, but I would give everything to be disciplined, motivated and hard at work. I do not think that I am a workaholic, I know how to relax and have fun - maybe not the same way some people do, but I definitely do not shun from the idea of chilling out, which happens to be the perpetual mode Im in these few weeks. Instead of helping out more at home or doing my best to meet up with friends (ok, maybe the lack of money is restricting my activities in this area), I spend almost all day in my room. To be honest, I am disgusted with myself.
Although I do not attend any fellowship at the moment, I attend bible classes weekly and serve in my church choir. However, just as Ps Christopher mentioned, a rise in spirituality/religiosity does not mean a rise in godliness. In fact, it may go in opposite directions and what I ought to be chasing is the latter.
I am sharing my heart here as by writing it down, I hope to be kept accountable. I do not know how many people are reading this blog, but by declaring my stand openly I pray that I will be able to get out of this rut I seem to be falling deeper in. It may well be a case of the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. However, I have learnt that even when I feed the flesh, I will never be able to experience true joy and fulfilment, for such things only come from obeying Christ, which I currently am not doing. Dear friends, please keep me in prayer, that I will be able to return to my first love.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
I was browsing through some music videos and I came across 其实很爱你 by Angela Zhang, when I was hit by the first bar.
I was very sure I have heard it before and I began to think when/where have I heard so and on my first guess, I struck gold. The other song is 日不落 by Jolin Tsai.
However, despite their similar beginnings, both songs then move on to very different tangents. The first song has a melancholic feel whereas the second is a lot more upbeat. And according to a friend of mine, one has a great tune and the other is crap. I'll let you decide which is which.
Anyways, I was thinking how we can also be like that. 2 people can start of life very similarly, same parents, same upbringing, same schools or same friends. And then, somewhere down the road, they lead very different lives, and end up at very different places, so much so, it is hard to believe that they started of the same way. Do you have someone whom you used to be close to but is walking down a very different and dangerous road? Or is there someone whose success makes yours pale in comparison? What were the choices that you made that differentiated you? What can you do now to head in the right decision?
Friday, March 06, 2009
What was Jesus' life sentence? "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' The great commission - Matthew 28: 18-20 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." In addition, we all have a unique SHAPE: Spiritual gifts - is it teaching, evangelizing, hospitality, encouragement, etc? Heart, passions - what do you love and what motivates you? Abilities - what do you find yourself doing with ease? Personality - introvert vs extrovert? serious vs carefree? Experiences - we all know about the nurturing effects on a person and God uses our experiences to shape us into the person He wants to be. There is no wasted experience, nor an experience so evil that God could have no hand in it. How does your SHAPE fit with what He has commanded?
"For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many" (Mark 10:45).
By coming down as a servant king, Jesus led by example how we should live. Hence, our life sentence ought to model after His. Practically speaking, our life sentence ought to fulfill His commands:The great commandments - Matthew 22:36-39
Thanks to all the blogs i referred to (countless) for html code help :) (esp. cyn' and sixseven)
Adobe Photoshop Elements for supernatural abilities
