Procrastinating in my *click* workspace :)

Alrighty, just wrote two exams today and found out that I didn't hafta madly write notes or photocopy tonight for a textbook I'm borrowing since my friend found another copy... so procrastination rears its ugly head tonight, and in a geeky way no less :P.

Ok, so was browsing around and stumbled upon this. Thought it was a neat idea so I decided to take a snapshot of my own home office, the place where I spend most of my time working, listening to music, chatting to several of you, and/or entertaining myself in other procrastinating ways... heheh. So voila, welcome to my home office!




Alrighty, so like the webpage, to rattle off the components of my workspace...
- Main computer is a hand-built system: 2.6 ghz P4, 1 gig of RAM, ATI Radeon 9800 Pro All-in-Wonder video card, and Creative Audigy 2 soundcard, all contained within a quiet Antec Sonata case (gotta love the piano black finish :).
- Main screen is an NEC 1935NXM 19" LCD that has served me well so far.
- Laptop is a Dell Inspiron 600m, my work and mobile computer.
- Peripherals include the newly acquired Logitech MX3000 Keyboard/Mouse Combo (replacing my 3 year old MX Duo, though I'm still debating whether to keep it or not), Logitech Cordless Rumblepad 2 gamepad (for when I feel like racing in NFS), and Creative Webcam Live (which I have yet to use much).
- Portable gadgetry includes my trusty Sony Clie PEG-SJ30 PDA (which I usually keep on me for scheduling, portable info, and digital bible), a Creative Zen Touch 20gb mp3 player (which I usually bring with me wherever I go), and a basic Motorola V262 cell phone.
- And the piece-de-resistance, since everyone knows how much I love music... had 'em for years and still love 'em every time I turn 'em on... the Logitech Z-560 4.1 surround speakers, packing 400 watts and an 8" subwoofer hiding underneath the desk.

Sometimes I wonder how I get any work done at all... heheh. Ok, geekiness moment is over, should get back to studying now. :P

Life goes on...

*LISTENING TO:*
Song: Fighting to Survive
Artist: Building 429
Album: Rise
Quote: "‘Cause I, I’m fighting to survive. Can’t you see it in my eyes? Please don’t push me anymore. But I, I’m still fighting to believe that there is hope for me. Somewhere beneath the very least of these."
* * *

And so goes another week...

Had my first exam on Thursday... and I think it went ok... wasn't overly difficult and not worth too much so I'm not too worried about it.

Parentals left for Toronto for the weekend to visit my grandma, so house all to myself. Some good alone time, study time, thinking time, and rare movie time... heheh. Lotsa coffee shop studying... pleasantly joined by Bonnie on Saturday at Zavida and then took a little time off in the afternoon to play ball with Merlin, Blaise, and Sarah at the nearby court. Still quite rusty... but twas a light game so luckily, didn't end up sore afterwards like the last time. Heheh. :P

Sunday at Celebration, had a candle-lit Easter Service. It was a concept I kinda wanted to pull off for a while now and with the help of a number of Celebration members, it kinda materialized into reality, which was cool. Lotsa candles (and fire extinguishers) were set up, Phos Hilaron candle-lighting opening, simple intimate worship music (me on piano) interspersed with prayer and scripture, Joel speaking, communion, and special music with Nichole Nordeman's "Why" by Serena. I thought it turned out to be a very delightful evening of intimate worship and reflection... I tried my best to plan it out as thoroughly as possible and as early as possible to make sure everything goes smooth (and, of course, I'm a bit of an organizational freak when it comes to events and worship, heheh)... I wanted it to be a special evening where people could connect with God and focus on the magnitude of Christ's death and resurrection with the least amount of distractions... I hope I accomplished some of that and God definitely blessed the evening since everything came together quite nicely at the end. There were some hitches, of course (stupid chord that I fugged up :P), but I wasn't even concerned about that... twas an evening solely for His glory. Oh, and a very pleasant surprise was that Frank, Bonnie, and Steph came to Celebration that evening. Meant a lot to me to have their support and twas cool 'cause old OCASF'er Jon Nip, who I haven't seen in a looong time, showed up too! After service, we all went for dinner at Moxie's (and a very nice one, I might add) and twas lotsa fun. Is there no limit to Jon's stomach?? Heheh. Haven't laughed that much in a while. :)

And on the personal front... I reluctantly had to shut the door on that hope for good... after all the drama the past couple of weeks, I believe the issue has reached its end, concluding somewhat anti-climatically I guess... of course, being me and with my track record, I'm never the benefactor and will be the one sitting on the curb, as usual... but despite how hard it was, I'm glad God has given me peace about it and I'm sure that although I can't see it yet, He had a greater purpose for everything that happened... I'm really glad that God used this situation to allow us all to trust in Him more and cast aside our own inhibitions... I think it's brought us all closer to Him and to each other, which is all by God's grace. I'm sure there will be days when things won't be as peaceful and I'll struggle with it... but knowing God's at work, He's in control of it all, and He knows me better than I know myself... that's reassuring enough. And I'll have fond memories that'll probably stay with me for a very long time. *sigh* ... and the search continues...

Final exams upon me again, thankfully some of the last I'll ever take. Very little motivation to hard-core study but trying my best anyways... still haven't heard back from my potential internship position... grrr.... my summer is soooo in the air right now because of the uncertainty of this stupid internship. I really want to go on the missions trip to Shanxi but again, it'll depend on if I'll be working. Alrighty, two exams on Thursday then two more after that... time to get studying. :P

Oh, for a laugh, check out my friend Merlin's blog for Southpark pics of the major players at Celebration. Heheh, try to find me if you can. :)

Hillsong United on 7:22

Hillsong United was featured on 7:22 this week and man, can they rock. [Watch Here]

Capturing this moment...

*LISTENING TO:*
Song: Calmer of the Storm
Artist: Downhere
Album: Downhere
Quote: "Teach me, Lord to have faith in what You're bringing me will change my life and bring You glory. There on the storm, I am learning to let go of the will that I so long to control. There, may I be in Your arms eternally. I thank You, Lord, You are the calmer of the storm."
* * *

Sometimes I wish you could capture moments like a camera does...

This week has been a trying time... one that has been rough, frustrating, and, perhaps, life-changing... and yet, has me seeking God more and begging to hear His voice more clearly and longing for His direction in my life. What's been especially frustrating has been how this hit me when I'm at perhaps my busiest time at school with the loads of final group projects and presentations due this week and final exams on the near horizon. So many things on my mind... I didn't think this would hit me this hard and yet, I am certain that when it's over, God's fingerprints will be evident.

Today, in between classes, I was drawn to the Rideau Canal... dunno why... I walked over and just gazed into the rippling water and into the distance... it was picture-perfect... nice day, overcast but nice, light snowflakes falling lazily down, melted canal with rippling water and a fringe of white ice, light breeze... I just stood leaning on the railing and prayed for who knows how long... didn't know what else to do... and just poured my heart out to God, everything I've been feeling, struggling with, frustrated with, and confused with... I just love how God hears us no matter where we are and is always willing to listen... heheh, and no matter how redundant my prayers are. Oddly enough, when I was done, my mp3 player (set to shuffle who knows how many songs) played Mark Schultz's "The Time of My Life" (the song that's hit me recently and one that's been sitting on my hard drive forever but only recently have I actually listened to)... could be total coincidence, I dunno... but for the first time in a few days, I was able to crack an unforced smile...

Sometimes I wish you could capture moments like these...

I don't know what the future holds, how the next few years will pan out, or even the next few days... but it's comforting to know that He is present in my life, that He knows my every thought, and that He knows my heart...

Untitled

Untitled
Music & Lyrics by Tim Lau

Verse 1:
Wandering the streets
One evening in spring,
Every step in rhythm
With each drop the clouds bring,
He looked to the heavens
With a tear in his eye,
Searching for answers
To calm this storm inside.

On this dark open road,
This lonely figure stands,
Praying for the Saviour
To lend His comforting hand.
A sad wave goodbye
To the dream he once held
Of a girl that he loved;
Then to his knees he fell.

And he prayed…

Chorus 1:
Father, can you hear me?
What are You trying to say?
Am I losing my mind?
Is it supposed to be this way?
I thought she was the voice
To this perfect harmony…
Is there a rhyme to this reason?
Is there a place in someone’s heart for me?

Verse 2:
As the years went by,
Two separate lives they will lead;
Growing into
What God wanted them to be.
A bond that’s held tighter
Through the friendship they’ve shared;
It was a blessed thing.

But when the raindrops fall,
One evening in spring,
He couldn’t hold back
The buried feelings that came.
As he gazed out the window,
Wishing for dreams to come true,
He couldn’t help but wonder
If she was dreaming them too.

And he whispered…

Chorus 2:
Baby, can you hear me?
Can you hear what I’m trying to say?
Am I losing my mind?
Is it supposed to be this way?
I thought you were the voice
To this perfect harmony...
Is there a rhyme to this reason?
Is there a place in your heart for me?