While reflecting today, I realize that I am really very blessed compared to many others. I remember someone telling me quite a while ago that if you have one or two friends that you can really pour out your soul to, that you can completely be yourself when around them, then you are a very fortunate person. I however, have much more than 1 or 2 such people in my life, more like 10 of them, and from different groups of friends. I also have at least 5 different groups of friends (which include the above mentioned 10 people) which are very close to my heart. These are people I know will definitely stand by me in my times of need, they are those who are unafraid of being undiplomatic and able to be honest straight to my face. These are people I know care for me deeply, although they may not outwardly show it. These are people I know will let me know if i had done something wrong, ir crossed some sort of line, and snap me to my senses. I truly am thankful for all these friends, brothers and sisters.

From this point, I really have to continually remind myself not to be concerned about what others may think about me, because only the opinion of these people are all that matters, and I never have to worry about what they think because they will let me know what they think of me, and it is because of this that I love them even more.

Colon-Right Parentheses

Sigh! I left 20% of my paper blank. Granted that I (and I think most of my cohort) didn't know how to do 6 marks out of the 10 I left blank, the other 4 marks were easy conceptually and given time, I can easily get it. I also wish I had more time to write out my answer to the 9mark question I frantically scribbled in the last 5 mins of this 75min paper.

My problem:
1. I love to complicate things. The question that took most of my time had a very simple answer. I just couldn't see and/or accept it until after working on it for more than half an hour.
2. I think I wrote more than necessary for my explaination. Sigh.
3. And for this I (as a chemistry major) deserve to be shot. There were several organic compounds that I didn't know how the structure was like. Fail....

Well, on the bright side, I think everyone was stunned by the paper. Oh well, let's just pray for the bell curve to work it's magic.

When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of Glory died;
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
Save in the death of Christ, my God;
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to his blood.

See, from his head, his hands, his feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down.
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown.

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were an offering far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.

Lord, I commit this friend into your hands, that you close the wounds in his heart, and heal his hurts. Lord, only you can fully understand what he has gone through; help him understand that even if other people fail him, that he can always turn to you. Lord, I pray for your peace and your comfort to fill his life, that even though he have been hurt, your peace and your strength can help him overcome these obstacles in his life. Lord, I pray that he may be released from the bondage of pain, bitterness and vengence, so that he may be able to life a fuller life; life in abundance. All these I commit into your hands.

In Jesus Name, Amen

When I read this article that my friend posted on FaceBook, I was seriously struggling to control my laughter (I was in the YIH Study Room). Being made pregnant by watching a 3D Porn Movie (LOL!!!) is the most original cover-up for infidelity, with Human Parthenogenesis as a close second. Sperm on the Toilet seat/Swimming Pool/ Bathtub is so yesterday!

However (for those of you that would believe such a story can be true) we see that this is a hoax that has fooled many, including gizmodo.

*Note: As much as I find this funny, I do not approve of infidelity and adultery.

1. Obvious tip one: Make a to-do list (electronic or paper). Put the most important item first and work down from there.

2. Obvious tip two: At the end of your day, review what you've done and make a new list for the next day. In order of importance.

3. Be ruthless about setting priorities. Make sure that what you think is important is really important.

4. Learn to differentiate between the important and the urgent. What's important is not always urgent. What's urgent is not always important.

5. Carry your to-do list with you at all times.

6. All things being equal, do the hardest, least fun thing first. Just get it over with!

7. If a task takes less than five minutes, do it right away. If it takes longer, put it on the list.

8. Deal with E-mail at set times each day, if possible. If you need to check messages as they arrive, limit your sessions to less than five minutes.

9. Schedule some uninterrupted time each day when you can concentrate on important tasks, even if you have to take refuge in a conference room or at the library.

10. Another approach: Before you check your E-mail or voicemail or get involved in the minutiae of the day, devote a solid hour to your most important project.

11. For a couple of days, take an inventory of how you spend your time to find out where and how you're wasting it.

12. Eliminate the time wasters (e.g., if personal phone calls are taking up too much space in your workday, turn off your cell).

13. Cut big jobs into small chunks. Order the chunks by importance. Work on one chunk at a time.

14. For big, complex tasks, schedule wiggle room. Projects tend to take longer than you think/hope. Give yourself a buffer.

15. If part of your day involves routine repetitive tasks, keep records of how long they take and then try to do them faster.

16. Go one step further and set specific time limits for routine tasks. Work tends to fill whatever amount of time you happen to have.

17. Establish smart efficient systems for all your tasks, big and small, and stick to them.

18. Value your time. People who wander into your workspace to chat do not respect you or your schedule. Set boundaries.

19. When and where you can, say no. Trying to do everything everyone asks you to do is a recipe for failure.

20. In general, guard against overscheduling yourself.

21. Bottom line to items 19 and 20: Learn to delegate, wherever and whenever you can.

22. Aim to handle pieces of paper only once. Same for E-mails. Read 'em and deal with 'em.

23. Reward yourself for completing tasks on time. No fun stuff until the work stuff is done.

24. Organize and declutter your workspace so you don't waste time looking for things.

25. Schedule demanding tasks for that part of your day when you're at your peak.

26. Group related tasks (e.g., sort papers on your desk and then file them). It's more efficient.

27. Use down time (e.g., waiting for meetings to begin) to, for example, update your to-do list or answer E-mails.

28. This advice applies to life outside work, too. It's better to be excellent at a few things than average at many.

29. Don't be afraid to get projects done early. It takes them off your mind, and it doesn't mean you'll just be given more to do.

30. Create the business environment that works for you. Adjust the lighting, turn off your E-mail pinger, get that cup of tea. Set the stage and get to work.

Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart,
naught be all else to me, save that thou art;
Thou my best thought by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, thy presence my light.

Be thou my wisdom, thou my true word,
I ever with thee and thou with me Lord;
Thou my great Father, I thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with thee one.

Be thou my battle shield, sword for the fight;
Be thou my dignity, thou my delight;
Thou my soul's shelter, thou my high tower:
Raise thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.

Riches I heed not, nor man's empty praise:
Thou mine inheritance now and always;
Thou and thou only first in my heart;
High King of Heaven, my treasure thou art.

High King of heaven, my victory won,
May I reach heaven's joys, O Bright Heaven's sun!;
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my vision, O Ruler of all.