Friday, June 19, 2009

Non-stop

Been busy, yet feeling like I'm letting time slip through my fingers.

You've been in my mind, so often. It's been a long time. Why can't I get rid of you, you phantom?

You don't exist anymore.....You're not the person I used to know...

Body is not taking it well. A million things to do and think about. If you're reading, please pray for me. I'm going to fly off for a short trip soon in Taiwan.

On a brighter note, Thank you Phil and Kev for all the running around and all the work. Phil especially this week! I don't know how to pay you back, but when I can I will. And God certainly would too!

And thank you my friends for the birthday dinner Thursday! You know who you are :)

Too normal

Thoughts about a career in the arts:

  • Perhaps I am too normal. One shouldn't be too normal if one is artistic and creative. One always sticks out, sometimes like a sore thumb. I think I blend in pretty well with everyone else.
  • Been watching MMC videos of Christina, Britney etc.Wow...they were very well - trained when they were young. Christina especially was a heaps good singer! They are used to all the camera lights, the make up, the auditions etc.
  • Ivan mentioned before that he thought I was really reserved for a person considering a career in entertainment. I wonder...
  • Perhaps I should have gone corporate, gone into anything else that was more ... structured?
  • Been really stressed. Sigh.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Wednesday musings

  1. I took a new route home today. I'm still challenging myself bit by bit to not do the same old same old each day. It's hard. But I think I need to do this, so that I can go forth in faith and not fear with each step God wants to take me.
  2. I wish I offered to give a lift to my colleague. Hope I can gird up enough courage for that next time
  3. I was thinking, is it possible to grow a group with friends who have genuine, transparent relationships with you? Or does being 'strategic' always puts distance between friends after a while? Changes always happen, groups grow and multiply, people move on, so ... if one commits to growing groups, perhaps peer friendships are not always easily developed.
  4. I need to be practising and doing stuff, but I seem to be constantly tired this week. Hormones are wacked!
  5. Taiwan looms in a week. Whew.
  6. Tomorrow, birthday dinner from friend! Yay!
  7. Tomorrow, long day of work. Boohoo :(
  8. I should sleep.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Accurate!

I've often wondered how my brain works. Now I've found out. I am quite left-brained, therefore, not very creative. Haha. And, I'm also a holistic as opposed to a linear processor. I NEED to see the big picture and I'm not too fussed about details. This is exactly how God works with me. He has always given me the big picture first, and worked out the details as I went along. He doesn't work like that with everyone. He genuinely DOES care how we are wired. WOW!

The only confusing thing is I am verbal and non verbal. Haha. Well, it just means I love using words AND illustrations to express myself. Not either/or.

Some of these results also explain why I loved the concepts of science, but struggled badly with processing mathematical details! I'm also a more 'rules and regulations' person, as opposed to a 'think outside the box'. I love structure and I love 'to-do' lists. And I can memorize numbers, learn dance moves quickly due to sequential and holistic processing.

If you're interested, take the test at


Thank you for taking the Creativity Test. The results show your brain dominance as being:

Left BrainRight Brain
57%43%

You are more left-brained than right-brained. Your left brain controls the right side of your body. In addition to being known as left-brained, you are also known as a critical thinker who uses logic and sense to collect information. You are able to retain this information through the use of numbers, words, and symbols. You usually only see parts of the "whole" picture, but this is what guides you step-by-step in a logical manner to your conclusion. Concise words, numerical and written formulas and technological systems are often forms of expression for you. Some occupations usually held by a left-brained person include a lab scientist, banker, judge, lawyer, mathematician, librarian, and skating judge.



Your left brain/right brain percentage was calculated by combining the individual scores of each half's sub-categories. They are as follows:

Your Left Brain Percentages

54%Verbal (Your most dominant characteristic)
48%Sequential
47%Reality-based
34%Symbolic
17%Logical
16%Linear (Your least dominant characteristic)

Your Right Brain Percentages

50%Nonverbal (Your most dominant characteristic)
48%Holistic
28%Concrete
20%Intuitive
16%Fantasy-oriented
12%Random (Your least dominant characteristic)

What Do These Percentages Mean?

Low percentages are common in the Brain Type Test and are not indicative of intelligence. Instead, medium to high scores (30 - 50%) are desireable, as they show an ability to utilize a processing method without an abnormal reliance on it. Special focus should be paid to highly dominant (50% or above) or highly recessive (0 - 30%) methods, as they tend to limit your approach when learning, memorizing, or solving problems.

If you have Highly Dominant characteristics, your normal thinking patterns will naturally utilize these methods. Conscious effort is required to recognize the benefits of other techniques. Using multiple forms of information processing is the best way to fully understand complex issues and become a balanced thinker.

If you have Highly Recessive characteristics, your normal thinking patterns naturally ignore these methods. You may only consider these under-utilized techniques when "all else fails," or possibly not at all. It is important to recognize the benefits of all of your brain's capabilities in order to become a balanced thinker.


Left Brain Categories


Verbal Processing

Verbal processing is a method used by the left hemisphere to process our thoughts and ideas with words. For example, through verbal processing, a left-brained person giving directions may say, "From this point continue east for two miles and turn north onto Bellevue Road. Continue north on Bellevue Road for seven miles and turn west on Main Street". With verbal processing, exact, logical directions are given in a very sequential manner compared to a right-brained person who, in giving the same directions, would use more visual landmarks.

Your Verbal Analysis

You are a highly verbal person. Using this method you process your thoughts and ideas with words. You use exact, technical logic for the descriptions of your thoughts and seldom use illustrations. If giving directions, you would say, "Continue two miles east on Court Street and turn north onto Jefferson Street" because, to you, this is the clearest way to get the information across.


Sequential Processing

Sequential processing is a method used by the left hemisphere for processing information. The information that is received is processed in order from first to last. Information is processed in a systematic, logical manner. Through sequential processing, you can interpret and produce symbolic information such as language, mathematics, abstraction, and reasoning. This process is used to store memory in a language format. Activities that require sequential processing include spelling, making a "to-do" list, and many aspects of organization.

Your Sequential Analysis

You show moderate ability to organize information sequentially. You are capable of processing information you receive in a systematic, logical order from first to last. However, at times you will process information you receive quite randomly, or may give it only a semblance of order. You are probably an average mathematician and speller, and may or may not enjoy tasks such as making "to-do" lists.


Reality-based Processing

Reality-based processing is used by the left hemisphere as a method for processing information with a basis on reality. This processing tool focuses on rules and regulations. An example of this would be how a left-brained person would completely understand the repercussions of turning in a late assignment or failing a test. A left-brained person also usually easily adjusts to changes in their environment.

Your Reality-based Analysis

You process information with a basis in reality, but are not limited to it. You may recognize the repercussions of you actions, but proceed to do something anyway, in the heat of the moment. You can complete projects to whice you are emotionally attached as well as random tasks.


Symbolic Processing

Symbolic processing is a method associated with the left hemisphere that is used for processing the information of pictures and symbols. The majority of functions associated with academics involve symbols such as letters, words, and mathematical notations. This process is what aids you to excel in tasks such as linguistics, mathematics, and memorizing vocabulary words and mathematical formulas.

Your Symbolic Analysis

You have the ability to process the information of symbols at times, but you may need to first view the real object before you can understand what you are trying to process. For example, in solving math problems it occasionally helps you to "draw out" the problem, which allows you to better understand it through visualization. At other times you do not need visualization to aid you in forming your answers.


Logical Processing

Logical processing is a method that is used by the left hemisphere to take information piece by piece and put it all together to form a logical answer. When information is received through reading or listening, the left hemisphere will look for different bits of information that will allow it to produce a logical conclusion. This aspect of the left hemisphere is what aids you in solving math problems and science experiments.

Your Logical Analysis

Logical processing is not one of your strengths, so you may tend to rely on a "gut" feeling to help you make your decisions from the information you have received. For example, you will often choose an answer on a test because it "feels" right, and you may be correct. This is due to the fact of your tendency to look for the whole picture but not the details that create it. You can often start with the answer and work your way back to allow yourself to see the process and parts that create the whole. You may find math problems and science experiments difficult because of this.


Linear Processing

Linear processing is a method by the left hemisphere to process information. In this process, the left brain takes pieces of information, lines them up, and proceeds to arrange them into an order from which it may draw a conclusion. The information is processed from parts to a whole in a straight, forward, and logical progression.

Your Linear Analysis

You tend to have difficulty in processing data in a linear manner. When processing information you tend see the whole picture first and work your way backwards, filling in the pieces as you go. The information you process is not done in a straight, progressive manner, but may take different paths as you start with an assumption and take different paths to discover the threads that lead you to that assumption. Seeing the big picture at the beginning of the process is a necessity for you if you are to understand additional information. When given a task, instead of naturally following directions in a linear fashion, you tend to feel the need to know "why" you are doing something or else you may have difficulty with it.


Right Brain Categories


Nonverbal Processing

Nonverbal processing is a method used by the right hemisphere to process our thoughts with illustrations. Reliance on this method is why it is occasionally difficult for right-brained people to "find the right words" in certain situations. A right-brained person cannot just read or hear information and process it, but first must make a mental video to better understand the information they have received. For example, through nonverbal processing, a person giving directions may say, "Continue going straight until you see a big, red-brick courthouse. At the courthouse turn right, and go down that street for a couple of miles until you se a gray stone church which will be on your right. Straight across from the church is the road to the left you need to take." With nonverbal processing, the directions that are given are extremely visual compared to the exact, sequential directions that would be given by a left-brained person.

Your Nonverbal Analysis

You show great ability to process your thoughts and ideas with illustrations. When you read or hear information, you first create a mental video before you begin to process and understand the information. For example, if you were asked to give someone directions, you would begin by visualizing the correct route in your mind before you would start to speak.


Holistic Processing

Holistic processing is a method used by the right hemisphere to process information. The information is processed from whole to parts. A right-brained person, through holistic processing, is able to see the big picture first, but not the details that accompany it. A strongly holistic person may often find that prior to listening to a lecture given by an instructor, they must first read the chapter so that they better understand what the lecture is about. This function is also what provides to you your visual spatial skills. It also aids in tasks such as dancing and gymnastics. Through holistic processing, memory is stored in auditory, visual, and spatial modalities.

Your Holistic Analysis

You show some ability to process data holistically, starting with the whole and working backwards to find the parts, which inform the whole, to form your conclusion. When you process information in a linear manner you are able to start with the parts and work up to form the whole. It is important to be comfortable with both methods, as both are equally necessary in the learning process.


Concrete Processing

Concrete processing is a method associated with the right hemisphere that is used for processing things that can be seen or touched. It processes much of the information you receive from real objects. For example, a right-brained person is not just satisfied that a mathematical formula may work, but will want to know why it works. A strongly concrete person often finds it easier to solve a mathematical problem by "drawing it out" because it allows them to visualize it. The more a concrete person can visualize something the easier it is for them to understand it.

Your Concrete Analysis

At times, you feel the need to see a real object in order to understand it. At other times, you are able to understand a problem on a symbolic level. For example, you may find that in solving math problems, it occasionally helps you to "draw out" the problem in order to understand and solve it.


Intuitive Processing

Intuitive processing is a method that is used by the right hemisphere to process information based on if it "feels" right or not. For example, a right-brained person may choose an answer on a test because they had a "gut" feeling and often they will be correct. Another example of this is how a right-brained person will know the correct answer to a math problem but will not understand the procedure of how they arrived at the correct answer. A right-brained person will usually have to start with the answer and work their way backwards in order to be able to see and understand the parts and process that create the whole.

Your Intuitive Analysis

When you process information using this method, you do not rely on "gut" feelings but take the information and put it together piece by piece to form your conclusions. You often look at all of the different bits of information before piecing together your solution. You probably excel in such tasks as solving math problems and performing science experiments, because the intuitive method is not needed.


Fantasy-oriented Processing

Fantasy-oriented processing is used by the right hemisphere as a method for processing information with creativity. It focuses much less on rules and regulations than the processing method of a left-brained person. Due to the fantasy-oriented processing mechanism of a right-brained person, they do not adjust well to change. Instead of adapting to the change in the environment, a right-brained person attempts to change it back to the way they liked it. But fantasy-oriented processing also provides the advantage of creativity to right-brained individuals, and since emotion is integral of the right side of the brain, anything a fantasy-oriented person becomes involved in emotionally will aid their ability to learn.

Your Fantasy-oriented Analysis

You have a low ability to process information in a fantasy-oriented way. You have the tendency to focus on rules and regulations rather than on creative approaches. You generally do not have a problem adjusting to change in the environment. You may lack creativity, but you do not need to become emotionally involved in tasks in order to complete them.


Random Processing

Random processing is a method used by the right hemisphere for processing information. The information that is received is processed without priority. A right-brained person will usually jump from one task to another due to the random processing by their dominant right hemisphere. Random processing is, of course, the opposite of sequential processing therefore making it difficult for right-brained individuals to choose to learn in sequence. In order to overcome this, a right-brained person may want to attempt to learn sequence by using colors since the right hemisphere is sensitive to color. For example, you may want to associate the first step with green, the second step with blue, and the last step with red. Consistently using the same sequence will allow you to see that this strategy can be applied to many tasks involving sequence.

Your Random Analysis

You tend to not process data randomly, preferring instead to follow a systematic, logical order from first to last. You have difficulty making "leaps of logic" which prevents you from making unique discoveries, or adapt to change during your thinking process.

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Byron and no sleep






We just came back from Byron Bay and the Spit. It was Peggy's b'day wish to watch the sunrise at Byron Bay. So we geared ourself for a very cold, sleepy morning. as it had been a VERY cold week.

Waking up at 2.30am was hard! Alvin and Dan soon arrived and we set off in Alvin's car. By then, everyone was cheerful and awake. We only took 1 hour and 40 min to reach Byron, which was a pleasant surprise. I guess there was hardly any traffic during that hour.

Personally, I've never been so nuts about scenery to wake up that early. So, I was looking forward to the sunrise. Most of the time, Alvin and Daniel played around with their super-ex photography gear while Peggy and I tried to make the best use out of our compact cameras! Well, I learned how to control shutter speeds, sit and crouch in odd positions for the right compositions, and managed to get a few decent shots even without a tripod. We took pics in the dark, we took pictures at twilight, we took pictures of the sunrise, and then we took pictures in broad daylight. It was pretty fun. I had forgotten how fun manual photograhy was.

God is good too! The sun was blocked by some clouds for a quite a while. We prayed, and the clouds shifted, enabling us to see the sunrise clearly. [and of course, start snapping furiously]

The last time I had a camera was 3.5 years ago. The Canon A40 which was pretty good for the price I paid for it. It was my first camera I paid for by myself. With the guidance of Mei and Xi who were slightly horrified that I was still and automatic snapper, I was starting to take manual shots of flowers, night time city lights, etc. Then, it got stolen! :( boohoo.

Well, I now have a better camera. And all these photography enthusiasts around me that can guide me along. It will be cool.

After a great breakfast at Surfer's, we went to the Spit. The sea was absolutely gorgeous! Deep blue-green, just how I love it. I did spend half the time in the car sleeping first, as the lack of sleep was catching up.

Then it was home. I was nuts enough to still schedule a dance practice in the afternoon, and then a business meeting with Peach and Kev at night, with a hot pot dinner sandwiched in btw.

I needed much sleep yesterday....I think I still need to catch up today.

As Michelle Christie said, I have a very 'happening' life. It just hit me when she passed on that comment yesterday. Perhaps I do. But oh, it was GREAT to have a 'happening' life in God. Life is so not going to pass me by.

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Portside Wharf

I've been spending  a morning a week at Portside lately. It's because I purchased a really cheap voucher for 4 visits to Elle Bache. Note to whoever is interested, Elle Bache is good at skincare but really below average for massages. Go for the skin.They do it quite well. They diagnose skin conditions and get rid of black heads.  Don't go for any massage treatments. 

For Massages, click here. Found the massage therapist Maureen to be very good. Feel like going back soon. But unfortunately, everything I've gone to is in the Nortside, because of work. Sigh. Can anyone reccomend decent massage therapists in the Sunnybank, Garden City, Eight mile plains area?

Took Peggy out for breakfast for her birthday. Wish I could have done a bit more actually. Could have sent her to her interview earlier on. But I was super tired from work, cooking and recording all week-end. 

I think I'm learning to trust God a bit more now. I've observed my own life and the timing of God in giving me things. When I don't push for things, and I keep trusting Him, he introduces things at the right time, when I'm ready to deal with it. I prayed for a steady job for 2 years while I was still in uni. I got it after that 2 years [3rd year uni] and found that I was just strong enough to cope with it without breaking down with the load of ministry, uni and work. If the teaching job had come any earlier, I doubt I could have done it. 

Furthermore, I've been wishing for a car. But honestly, I also knew I was not ready for the resposibility of owning it, therefore I didn't pray very hard. I was overwhelmed by the potetntial responsibility doing all the nitty gritty things like driving to new unfamiliar places, rego, insurance, servicing, petrol, and most of all, ferrying people around. Last year, God told me to give the car to Him, which I did. Now, He has provided in a way that I can at least handle without feeling too overwhelmed. I still need to take on new responsiblities. Driving to new places all the time can be scary and stressful, especially without a GPS and I don't read maps that well. I have started to ferry people around. But the car was provided in such a way that when I do get my own, I think I'll be a lot more ready and toughened up. It's a good feeling not to be scared of Brisbane roads anymore.

I think, with this, I need to trust Him that when He provides my career opportunities, when He provides a life partner, it will be when I am ready to take it on and not crash and burn. 

Thank you God.
You always know best.
I shouldn't be surprised. But You do have my best interests at heart after all.
Love ya :)

Sunday, June 7, 2009

Gifted? Nah...just life-long investments...

I got this link (http://stevemurrell.typepad.com/my_weblog/2009/05/the-myth-of-the-gifted-child.html) off my friend and junior in high school. Many people have told me I'm gifted. Or they have commented that others are gifted. But honestly, do you know how much money my parents have spent on my so called 'gifts'? Do you know how many hours of practice and lessons I've had [still do]? Do you know the hours of thinking, planning, and sacrificing play-time, forgoing TV and leisure time developing talents has involved? Kudos to my parents for all they invested. Piano, Ballet, Violin. Yamaha piano lessons[yes I used to attend 2 piano lessons a week, one violin lesson, orchestra/ensemble practices, ballet twice a week, volleyball once or twice a week, church and youth group, and worship practices on Wednesdays. Throw in some tuition and the load of homework from a Chinese school education system. VOILA! The summary of most part of my life in Malaysia as a child and adolescent.


The Myth of the Gifted Child

“Your sons are so gifted.”

I’ve heard it a thousand times…
- at William's elementary school piano recitals - “wow, he has a musical gift” (no, he’s practiced every day, since he was 5)
- at James' tennis tournaments – “I wish my son could hit a forehand like that” (try training 7 days a week, for a few of years)
- when people see Jonathan's paintings - “he obviously has a special gift for art” (you should have seen his "art" before we hired an art teacher to mentor him)

Yea, we have gifted kids – they were gifted with a mother who wouldn’t allow them to waste time doing nothing. And they were gifted with a father who was on a 10-year anti-TV, anti-video game kick during their formative years. That’s why they spent countless hours reading, listening to music and developing killer kick-serves.

My sons were also gifted with mentors/coaches/teachers who helped them discover and develop a few of the skills and talents that God hid in them.

Gifts are free. Talents are costly; they must be discovered and developed.

But sadly, most talent is never discovered, never developed. It is simply wasted while staring at a screen. Tragic.

What are you doing to develop your gifts and talents?
What are you doing to help develop your kid's gifts and talents?

(i'll never forget the tennis tournament when the father of a kid my son had just destroyed turned to me and said: "i bet you paid a lot of money for his forehand." that father understood where the gift/talent came from - dad's checkbook. he was right, and it was worth every dollar/peso.)

Monday, June 1, 2009

Sweet....

Saw this in the weekly email sent out to my lifegroup people.  Glamourous maestro eh? WEll, Eureka, I'm really thankful to God that you guys are around me. I just hope I can contribute more as time goes along, and as the Lord leads. Love you all.

Wednesday: Happy Birthday Charis! Eureka's glamorous maestro shall be celebrating her birthday this week, so make sure you bless her and show how thankful we are for having her in our family.