84mm commander course

i'm halfway thru my reservist. its been a while since i put on those green military uniforms and having to go into the forest again.

since i was a little boy, i've always wanted to be a tank commander. but destiny is not to be.

ironically, i am now being trained in the abovementioned course, a.k.a anti-tank. yes, in laymen terms, i'm the man walking around carrying a bazooka.

the bazooka alone weighs 16kg. *yikes!*

  

things i hate

i am not a hateful person. i can't remember having enemies, at least on my part. and even if there is, for that period of time, the "enemy" will only make me a stronger person.

but of late, i'm beginning to loathe certain characters of the human-beings;
1) free loaders
2) road hoggers

beats me.

3+1

when the management recognised 3 compliments that i've got for the month, i was delighted. didn't know i'll get another one the next day.

now i can go for my 2 weeks reservist with a peace of mind.

"Dear Sir/Madam I wish to thank Mr Rizal Saad, Customer Care Officer of Personal Financal Services for contacting me today on my request regarding internet banking security device. In particular, I like to highlight that Rizal has gone the extra mile by offering his assistance to help me go through my accounts, in addition to attending my request. I am delighted by his thoughtfulness, dedication, and customer care. I am sure HSBC would recognize and reward such an invaluable asset in your
organization. It is indeed my pleasure to bank with HSBC. Regards."

making yourself approachable

Making yourself approachable really comes down to two important elements: body language and facial expression. People are going to decide whether they want to approach you before they’ve heard you say a word. So here’s how you can say a lot without saying a thing.

Body language: Body language speaks volumes. Next time you’re at a social gathering take a second to think what you’re body language is saying to others. Are you standing against a wall? If so, you’re saying: “Please don’t notice me, I wish I weren’t here.” Are your arms folded against your chest? If so, you’re saying: ”Stay away from me, I’m not going to tell you a thing about myself and don’t want anyone new entering my life.”

The way you stand at a social gathering sends a message to other guests. If you want to send a warm, welcoming message your body language should reflect that desire -- this means standing with others, not off on your own. You don’t have to be the center of attention, but if you’re part of the action people are likelier to involve you in their conversation. Stand openly. Even if you aren’t comfortable, you don’t have to appear that way. A relaxed, open stance invites other people to enter your space.

Facial expressions: Your face is the gateway to how you feel. This is why a strong poker face can mean the difference in winning the pot or losing it all. You don’t necessarily need to bluff in a social setting to win people’s interest, but keep in mind that your face is the first thing people are going to see, so what do you want it to say? A friendly smile, an understanding nod, a hearty laugh and making eye contact are integral. They tell others that you are a good audience and someone who is enjoyable to talk to. If you notice yourself rolling your eyes and furrowing your brow in social situations, think about what you’re saying to others and why you may struggle achieving social success.

By Aaron Blair

sons of abraham

God's promise for Israel

On arriving in the new land, God promised Abraham that He would give the land to his descendants (Genesis 12:7). "And the LORD said to Abram,... 'Lift your eyes now and look from the place where you are—northward, southward, eastward, and westward; for all the land which you see I give to you and your descendants forever'" (Genesis 13:14-15).

God's promise for Arab

But a divine message was given to Hagar, telling her to return. It also reassured her that her son would have many descendants—but descendants with traits that would be evident throughout their history: "I will so increase your descendants that they will be too numerous to count ... You are now with child and you will have a son. You shall name him Ishmael ['God hears'], for the LORD has heard of your misery. He will be a wild donkey of a man; his hand will be against everyone and everyone's hand against him, and he will live in hostility toward all his brothers" (verses 10-12, New International Version).

Fourteen years after the birth of Ishmael, God blessed Abraham with another son, this time by his wife Sarah. He told them to name their son Isaac (meaning "laughter" for the incredulous reaction they had when told they would have a son at their advanced age as well as the joy that he would later bring to his parents, Genesis 17:17, 19; 18:10-15; 21:5-6). Isaac in turn fathered Jacob, also named Israel, the father of the Israelites. Ishmael's and Isaac's descendants are therefore cousins.

"So the child [Isaac] grew and was weaned. And Abraham made a great feast on the same day that Isaac was weaned. And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, scoffing. Therefore she said to Abraham, 'Cast out this bondwoman and her son; for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, namely with Isaac'" (Genesis 21:8-10).

This displeased Abraham, who had grown to love Ishmael. "But God said to Abraham, '... Whatever Sarah has said to you, listen to her voice; for in Isaac your seed shall be called" (verse 12). God further reassured Abraham: "Yet I will also make a nation of the son of the bondwoman [Ishmael], because he is your seed" (verse 13). "So God was with the lad; and he grew and dwelt in the wilderness ..." (verse 20).

It cannot be said that Ishmael hated Isaac. But after 14 years as an only child, Isaac's arrival fundamentally changed Ishmael's relationship with his father Abraham. Afterward, Ishmael felt envy and rivalry toward his half-brother, feelings that tribally have survived down through the centuries and which affect the politics of the Middle East today.

are these words for me too?

The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Haran, and said to him, 'Get out of your country and from your relatives, and come to a land that I will show you'" (Acts 7:2-3).

a common instruction to most prophets

stingray

A: "hey, you are done with your stingray? can i have the bone?"

B: "you eat the bone? it can be eaten?!"

C: "that's what they call, MEATBONE"

social responsibility

once again, i feel fucked up.

fucked up cos i can't carry out my social responsibility;
1)not attending friend's wedding
2)not attending colleague's birthday chalet

there are just too many things to do with so little time. catch 22. just like when my colleagues tried to organise something on the weekend, i'll say, "can we please, please not make it on a weekend? i don't want to see my colleagues for 7 days a week!"

"so i am your colleague? rizal, i always treat you like a friend, never as a coworker."

....."ouch"

chaos theory

chaos theory -- flapping of a butterfly's wings may results in a tornado in the other half of the world