I Dreamed A Dream

Susan Boyle on Britain's Got Talent was amazing, check it out! She sang "I Dreamed A Dream" by Les Miserables, which is beautiful. It sent shivers running up and down my spine. While she looked weird and odd but when she sang everyone was amazed. But enough about her and Britain's Got Talent.

Dreams. What are dreams? Pastor Victor Gonzalez preached about it two weeks ago and also this week. Oxford Dictionary says that Dreams are "A series of images, events and feelings that happen in your mind while you are asleep", or "A wish to have or be something, especiallty one that seems difficult to acheive", and "A beautiful or wonderful person or thing".

[Now I begin an essay that I wrote two years ago in Form 4 for an English exam; I kept the paper! Editted some parts...]

In the light of Science, dreams are the phenomena that occur during sleep. When one's mind moves into a stage of sleep called Rapid Eye Movements (REM), the mind starts to replay or generate images from the memory to form a usually illogical series of events.

However, dreams are much more than just the trick of the mind, but it represents the deepest desires of a person. The dreams I speak of are ambitions; goals that seem too big to acheive; destinations that seem impossible to reach.

In the norm of our society, dreaming seems to hold a negative connotation. A "dreamer" depicts one who loafs around doing nothing, like Thomas Wilson in "The Lotus Eater". [Nothing wrong with inserting some Literature we learn, eh?] However, while it is important to stay in reality, dreams are just as important because life without dreams is a life not worth living.

One famous dreamer is Bill Gates, who dreamed of putting a computer in every home in America, and now he is one of, if not the, richest man in the world! Dreams shape out world to what it is today. Without a dream, there would be no light bulb, no Internet [Damn!] or washing machine. Without a dream, you can just get a mediocre job, marry a mediocre spouse, and live a mediocre and dull life, and at the end die a mediocre death. But why do that when you can do something with your life and strive for a higher purpose and design?

[As for myself, I dream many big things. I dream of an illustrous career in arts, writing, and music. I doubt that they will be fulfilled as a main career but I will never stop dreaming of become a best-selling author, or a famous musician in a band that shouts God's name. I even dreamt of becoming an English teacher! But, alas, I got good results for SPM. The world is vast and the options are endless! Last but not least, I dream of becoming a missionary doctor and help people around the world for Christ, but I wouldn't say that in a school exam...]

As Rudyard Kipling puts it, "If you can dream and not make dreams your master", [again, Literature is awesome...] a person who knows how to dream but still have his feet planted on the ground, will have "the Earth and everything that's in it" at his bidding! Dare to dream - [and dream God-sized dreams] - because if you stop dreaming, you stop living.

[Pn. Anita's comments: "Good. Well said." I got a 47/50 for it. Most awesome English teacher EVER!!!]

Dreams are free: Dream BIG.

However, as Pastor Vic puts it, dreams must be God-glorifying, people-helping, require character and competence; It needs counsel, evaluation and adjustments; Dreams bring others closer to God, and requires me to start with what I already have.

Never fear failure, learn to rebuild, DEFY THE ODDS.

[Oh and I dream of going to England and living there for a few years because I adore the way they speak, such a beautiful accent! I fell in love with the British English when I watched Narnia last time, and then when I watched Britain's Got Talent... I resolved to go there, and also to watch Wimbledon for once in my life. XD]

What?

[Tennis] One uncharacteristic loss after another: Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters - Roger Federer lost to Stanislas Wawrinka with whom he won the Beijing Olympics gold. I only managed to watch the first half last night/this morning. OK, fine, he got married to his girlfriend Mirka Vavrinec, but probably only because she got pregnant. Maybe he was distracted. Or maybe he's just getting old and tired, and his prime is over. Whatever. Why do I still support him? Maybe I don't anymore. Now I'm hoping Andy Murray wins more titles.

[American Idol Season 8] The top 7 sang songs from movies! I liked Allison Iraheta's "I Don't Want To Miss A Thing". I was expecting more from Lil' Rounds because I love the song "The Rose", but she sucks. Danny Gokey's "Endless Love" was so emotional and reminds everyone of his sob story, good for him. But my favourite performance and song and studio recorded song was Kris Allen's "Falling Slowly". There was so much feeling in his voice, like the emotion was going to burst and spill over if you just poke it with a needle. I wasn't much of a fan of Kris Allen, but now I am! Meanwhile, Matt Giraud was saved by the judges but I don't see him being able to do much to contend with others like Danny, Adam, Allison and Kris. I still think Danny Gokey is overrated. XD
You can download their studio recordings here.

[Choir] Oh and I'm so bummed that the SMK Batu Lintang choir lost in the division level AGAIN. Last year was bad enough, but this year... they lost to St. Teresa!! Even with a four/five/six-part choir!! I didn't hear them so I have nothing to say, but I'm just so bummed. *sob*

[Matrics] Oh and I got the Matrics offer to Kolej Matrikulasi Negeri Sembilan. I have to report to the college on 11th May. I don't really want to go because I'm hoping for my MARA scholarship, but just in case I don't...[cross fingers] and it'll be a good experience and exposure for me to live on my own. XD

"MARA terus mara"

My heart was beating rapidly as I entered the large MARA headquarters in KL. My hands were cold and clammy, and my mouth had run dry. I was also unbearably hungry, because I hadn't eaten breakfast.

It was this morning, at 11 a.m. when I went up to the 16th floor of the MARA building and sat outside the interrogation room, and waited to be interrogated. All the while I was so, so nervous. I don't know why I was so nervous. I wasn't even this nervous during SPM. In fact, I was so anxious since last week. I think it was because I realized that in an interview, I can't mess up like in a written exam. I can't erase what I just said with liquid paper. I can't say "Oops I forgot the answer, can I skip this question and come back later?" and I definitely can't sleep for a while to get inspiration. I wasn't even this worried during debate, because I couldn't care less about debate (I think I kicked ass as third speaker, but we lost, *sob*), but this interview was do or die. Speak up or say goodbye to doing Medicine in UK.

To make things worse, I had to wait for TWO SOLID HOURS. But at least there were a few others in the same place predicament to chat with and share information while waiting.

But at the end, the interview was rather simple and straightforward, nothing technical. They didn't even ask why I wanted to be a doctor! (I was dreading that) They asked what and why I wanted to specialize in (Ear Nose Throat: past illnesses including deaf ear and allergic nose), why I chose UK/Ireland and what are the universities there, what I did in school, what I would do if they would to send me to a local uni, what advantages do I have above the other interviewees, whether I have any sicknesses, (I replied, "Nope, healthy as a horse; fit as a fiddle! [not entirely true]" which was greeted with laughter from the interviewers) and simple things like that. All my anxiety and research about MARA and Medicine and the Health Ministry and whatnots were all not needed.

So, I think I did pretty well. I did my best, I think. So now all I can do is sing Planetshakers' "I Surrender".

All that I am is Yours
All that I have is Yours
I give You my heart and soul
Lord I’m Yours

Lord every day is Yours
Lord every breath is Yours
Giving my life to You
Lord I’m Yours

You alone are worthy of all praise
You alone are worthy of all praise

I surrender all to You
I surrender all to You
I am nothing without You
Jesus Christ take my life
It’s all for You

Card Art

These were done for my mother as a gift for her to bring to UK when she leaves in a few days' time. I don't really like the first card, though. Anyway I hope the verses encourage you today, and mothers are awesome!

Romans 8

Romans 8

Life Through the Spirit

1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, 4 in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.

5 Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; 7 the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. 8 Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.

9 You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. 10 But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. 11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.

12 Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation—but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. 13 For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, 14 because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

Future Glory

18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 19 The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.

22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.

More Than Conquerors

28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

31 What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:
"For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.