House

"Cos I was born with a heart three sizes too small." - Gregory House, M.D.

Why do I like House?
He makes me feel like, Oh finally somebody gets me.

I loved her

At Even, When the Sun Was Set

At even, when the sun was set,

The sick, O Lord, around Thee lay;

O in what divers pains they met!

O with what joy they went away!

Once more 'tis eventide, and we,

Oppressed with various ills, draw near;

What if Thy form we cannot see,

We know and feel that Thou art here.

O Saviour Christ, our woes dispel;

For some are sick, and some are sad,

And some have never loved Thee well,

And some have lost the love they had;

And some are pressed with worldly care,

And some are tried with sinful doubt;

And some such grievous passions tear,

That only Thou canst cast them out;

And some have found the world is vain,

Yet from the world they break not free;

And some have friends who give them pain,

Yet have not sought a Friend in Thee;

And none, O Lord, have perfect rest,

For none are wholly free from sin;

And they who fain would serve Thee best

Are conscious most of wrong within.

O Saviour Christ, Thou too art Man;

Thou hast been troubled, tempted, tried;

Thy kind but searching glance can scan

The very wounds that shame would hide;

Thy touch has still its ancient power;

No word from Thee can fruitless fall;

Hear, in this solemn evening hour,

and in Thy mercy heal us all.

Henry Twells

1823-1900

posted in loving memory of Bapak Putra Wirakesuma

with raised eyebrows

General observations from more than 10 years of teaching:

Every parent has a favorite. Good parents try to treat every child equally. That does not always conceal which child is the most loved.

Teachers have preferred students/ parents too. I try my best to provide unbiased service for all. Still, there are a few who are dearer and closer to my heart. These are not always the most gifted. Often it's attitude or shared values. Sometimes it's pure chemistry.

Mothers of sons tend to show more vulnerability than mothers of daughters.

Angry mothers are the least rational among all irrational creatures. Their logic is Angry Bird's.

I love you

Sweeter than the sweetest joy I ever imagined
In this crowded world, our hearts have found each other

Suddenly Legit

Remember your late teenage years? Those awful, awkward times, when we didn't know what to do and where to go. During the course we learned that it was not meant to be. Are we not glad it was over. I know I am.
There was a stretch of time when I felt stung with shame whenever I remembered you.
But lately I have straightened my back and realized it was not that much of a failure.
I looked around and saw the fancies of adolescents these days, and recalled how different your likings were. Instead of succumbing to the ridiculous pop culture, you differentiated (non-classical) performers for their art. Instead of worshipping seemingly innocent pretty faces, you went for Victoria's Secret angels and things your mother had better not see. You introduced me to artists before they became mainstream.
In short, the person whom I fell for was not just a boy. You were already a man, budding as you were.
The past now justifies itself. You were not a clever choice, but it wasn't that bad after all.

Hodja

Borrowed a book from a fifth grader and had a good (mostly sarcastic) laugh.
To enlarge, click on picture or open picture in new tab/ window.

change we can believe in... *smirk*

In a teacher workshop I attended years ago while fresh out of university, participants were asked to share the most disliked traits of teachers who had taught them in the past. The answers were not surprising; favoritism, unfairness, lack of punctuality, not mastering the subject matter, etc.

I wrote "lack of discipline" as I remembered past teachers who let students rule the class and as such, I didn't feel I learned anything out of these classes. I guess what I really meant was "Ineffectiveness".

However my intelligent friend answered, "Inconsistencies."
I couldn't agree more.

Inconsistencies in most cases result not in creativity but excuses. Most often they reflect a lack of preparation and thorough consideration, and consequently result in impulsive bad decisions, unreliable plans, lowered work quality, frustrations among many, and loss of trust.

comic strip creds: Scott Adams
Click to enlarge picture.

think for yourself

It is not a good habit to stuff one's text with quotations from prominent thinkers, except to make fun of them or provide a historical reference. ~ Nassim Nicholas Taleb

I am guilty too

Years back, at least three years ago, I bought the 362-page book "The Complete Idiot's Guide to OVERCOMING PROCRASTINATION".

I haven't finished even the second chapter. That's less than 25 pages.

In fact, it's been so long I've forgotten what the first two chapters say.

Ha, ha.

(The price tag is still on. Expensive. Maybe I should start reading it ... um, one of these days.)

probably made ugly by money

Money does not always translate into sophistication. Even those who grew up privileged and have gone overseas for tertiary education, may turn out brusque instead of urbane.

(No, I am not referring to people ribbing with one another in a casual situation.)

arise

The first step towards fulfilling your dream is to wake up.

Dangerous Misconceptions

This picture is an example of society judging an Author without having read and studied his Book. Let us not be deceived.

Misconception: Unconditional love with conditions.
Truth: Unconditional love always, but many refuse to open their hearts and be loved and transformed from Grace to Grace. 


Misconception: Children eat apple, 4000 years grudge.
Truth: Adam and Eve chose to know evil, Jesus paved the Way back to righteousness plus 4000+ years of redemptive work. 


Misconception: Create rules for bronze aged desert tribe, applies to everyone, everywhere, always.
Truth: Rules were NOT made FOR bronze aged desert tribe but for all people. "[The Gentiles] show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness." Romans 2:15. 


Misconception: Have faith in me while I do nothing. 
Truth: Faith is hope stretching out its hands in the dark, a proof in itself, and there are numerous witnesses who would share their stories of miraculous intervention from the Divine. 


Misconception: Perform spectacular miracles, cease these miracles once man is able to record and document events.
Truth: Why ask for bronze age miracles to answer to modern world's problems? I am sure you are clever enough to tell the difference. 


Misconception: I have something to say, I'm only gonna tell one guy. 
Truth: God reveals his thoughts to those who listen to his heart, but there are too few who listen closely.

Once is good enough

People don't necessarily want to repeat things they are proud of.
For instance, today I defeated a big cockroach without using any insecticide.
I really hope I won't have to do it again.

Honor Thy Elders

I regret not yelling ASSHOLE at the asshole behind the wheel this afternoon, who had to toot and could not wait even just three seconds for my elderly aunt to finish crossing the street inside a mall's parking area. Dude, if you really are rushing, don't go to the mall during such holiday season. Moron.
I could have thrown a rock at the car.

Elders must be treated with respect.

Must be my Confucian upbringing.

teaser

Conrad Bali

Murakami

I want to learn the ukulele too

all with a past

Human experience is messy.
No one is squeaky clean.
Ever.

which is why I chose to import my old blogs, instead of just starting a new one.
Quote above though, I have deleted some entries that carry too much dirt.
Even in honesty I am not clean.

reluctant

My last blog post was dated May 19, 2009.

More than two years already
but I still shudder at the idea of writing again.

My stomach feels sick.