What lies inside?

The last time i posted i was still on British ground but now.. I'm back in Malaysia!! Woohoo.. Its been great to be back home again. Like Dorothy said:' There is no place like home..' From the very moment i touched down, i have been extremely busy with the organising of the Malaysian Youth Prayer Gathering 2008. During the little times of leisure that i have, i catch up with the movies that have been on screen. One movie that truly stood out for me was IRON MAN.

Tony Stark is seen as one of the most famous man on earth. He is rich, smart and handsome. He has the American government at his feet because his company supplies weapons for the USA army. He has his own jet. He gets any woman he wants. He is every girl's dream. He is blunt with words, talks straight to the point and is described as the Da Vinci that never paints. He is confident, proud, classy and commands respect from all. On the outside he seems like a heartless freak that cares no less for others than himself. Even after his escape from the terrorist, Tony Stark portrays himself to the world as Iron Man. With all his charisma, confidence and ego, the armor of steel that he wears further enhances the person that he is. Someone who is indestructible and always saves the day. To the world, Iron Man is a hero. Tony Stark is the superstar. There is nothing he cant do.

Interestingly, there is another side that surfaces about Tony Stark. To the world, he is the Man. Nothing can stand in his way. But, at the end of the day, Tony Stark aka Iron Man is still human. There are not many people who knows and see this other side of Tony Stark. The only person who truly sees him for who he really is is Pepper Potts his beautiful assistant. Pepper was the only person that Tony revealed to about his new identity as Iron Man. When Pepper helps him remove the old 'arc reactor' at his heart, she does something really meaningful. She uses that old 'arc reactor' and makes a trophy with the inscription 'This is prove that Tony Stark has a heart.' Pepper is the only person that truly understand the heart of Tony. Many people don't even believe that he has a heart. Tony Stark seems indestructible on his heroics as Iron Man but what people don't see is the wounds and injuries that he gets after those exploits. It is only in the comfort of his home that all his vulnerabilities are surfaced. Further proof that he is still a human with a heart.

There are certain people that we often view as invincible. They are great and can do no wrong. Nothing is impossible with them. Everything they touch turns to gold. But one wrong move, and we criticise them to their grave. We often forget that these people are still humans. They are not perfect and will still make mistakes. I can confidently say that they are usually a different person in the confines of their home. A place they can just be themselves. These people have such a big heart for others to the stage that people even doubt the existence of their heart. They often portray themselves as emotionless beings for the sake of others. To be the source of hope and encouragement to those around.

Iron Man is made of steel. But what lies inside is still human. Just like everyone of us.

Mothers

Mother's Day is the one of the most celebrated events of the year. Price for flowers hike, chocolates are cleared off the shelfs, restaurants are fully booked and for some mothers it is the only time of the year that they get hugs from their children. Well, i hug my mum all the time but lets just say that she'll get a special one on Mother's Day. So this year, i'll like to add in a spot of fun for my mum and all the other mums..

1. My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE.“If you’re going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning.”

2. My mother taught me RELIGION.“You better pray that will come out of the carpet.”

3. My mother taught me LOGIC.“Because I said so, that’s why.”

4. My mother taught me MORE LOGIC.“If you fall out of that swing and break your neck,

you’re not going to the store with me.”

5. My mother taught me IRONY.“Keep crying, and I’ll give you something to cry about.”

6. My mother taught me about the science of OSMOSIS.“Shut your mouth and eat your supper.”

7. My mother taught me about CONTORTIONISM.“Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!”

8. My mother taught me about STAMINA.“You’ll sit there until all that spinach is gone.”

9. My mother taught me about WEATHER.“This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it.”

10. My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY.“If I told you once, I’ve told you a million times. Don’t exaggerate!”

11. My mother taught me the CIRCLE OF LIFE.“I brought you into this world, and I can take you out.”

12. My mother taught me about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION.“Stop acting like your father!”

13. My mother taught me about ENVY.“There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don’t have wonderful parents like you do.”

14. My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION.“Just wait until we get home.”

15. My mother taught me about RECEIVING .“You are going to get it when you get home!”

16. My mother taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE .“If you don’t stop crossing your eyes, they are going to get stuck that way.”

17. My mother taught me ESP.“Put your sweater on; don’t you think I know when you are cold?”

18. My mother taught me HUMOR.“When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don’t come running to me.”

19. My mother taught me HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT.“If you don’t eat your vegetables, you’ll never grow up.”

20. My mother taught me GENETICS.“You’re just like your father.”

21. My mother taught me about my ROOTS.“Shut that door behind you. Do you think you were born in a barn?”

22. My mother taught me about WISDOM.“When you get to be my age, you’ll understand.”

And my favorite:

23. My mother taught me about JUSTICE .“One day you’ll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you.”

Of course my mum is not like that but quite the exact opposite for most of them. Some of them are true as well. As we look back we certainly have heard some familiar quotes. This post is a dedication to my mum and all mothers!!

May God grant you extra patience to deal with us children.. God bless!!

A total turn around..

Im back!! Its been some time since i wrote. Sorry for the absence because i was really busy with exams and house hunting. Why house hunting? Well, i was told as international students we would quite definitely get a place to stay on campus next year. But on Monday last week, i got a sms informing me that i won't be getting a place on campus. I was devastated. Real disappointed. I was houseless for next term. I panicked and sort to go out and find a house. Finding a house is not as straight forward cos thousands of other students are looking for houses as well. This news was all the more accompanied with extreme bad timing as i was in the midst of preparing for my exams. I was struggling with my revision too. What am i to do? God had other plans.

God miraculously provided a house for me and my friends. It is literally one in a hundred that you can get a house at this time of year that starts the lease in September. I actually had given up much hope of finding a house for September. I was even ready to pay 1 or 2 months of wasted rent. When we believe God always provides. We put down the deposit for the house on Wednesday. It sort of fits us perfectly as we will only be back in September and the agents have offered to negotiate an unlikely 10 month deal for us (most houses have a non negotiable 12 month contract). The house is also walking distance from University.

Exams also went more smoothly than expected. God really sustained me to be able to get through this period. I was able to focus and push on for the final exams. I have finished now. I still cant believe that i have finished 1st year of University.

But.. i think the thing that made my week was that Manchester United beat Barcelona to qualify for Champions League Final in Moscow!! woohooo... A fantastic game. When Scholes scored the goal, we were all screaming and celebrating for a good 2 minutes in a jam packed pub on campus. The feeling was indescribable. Only real football fans will be able to understand. At the final whistle, we were hugging, jumping and singing with each other in jubilation. We were congratulating each other with hugs n brother handshakes even though we din know each other. But we had one thing in common, we support Manchester United!! Come on now..

The amazing things is that God never ever short changes us and He even allows us to have some joy from things that we love. In this case, FOOTBALL!! Take a look at this

Last week i was..
1. Houseless
2. struggling with revision
3. Man Utd lost to Chelsea to lose a 3 point lead

This week i..
1. got a house
2. got pass exams quite smoothly
3. Man Utd beat Barcelona to reach final

How cool is that? God is truly faithful. I look back and i wonder why i ever worried about all this. Where was my faith? God has certainly brought me through this period yet again. God cares every single bit for us. Look to Him and trust him always.

Thank You Lord. Amen.