Hanging Out at Plaza Singapura

Well... some of us went out to Plaza Singapura on Sunday and a fair bit of oddness ensued...

Tingwei on the kiddy ride

Going for a haircut

IMPACT wants you!

Hamster face! 8D

~Heian Edenwood, 25.03.2009

DISCLAIMER: If you wish to have a photo containing you in this post to be removed, let me know via MSN and I'll get it done ASAP.

Water Baptism - 15th March

Water baptism pictures. :D

~Heian Edenwood, 23.03.2009

DISCLAIMER: If you wish to have a photo containing you in this post to be removed, let me know via MSN and I'll get it done ASAP.

My Grades for Year 1

Well, I've got my grades back and I decided to do a progress chart.

Semester 1 Modules:
Scripwriting - A
Critical Reasoning Skills - B
IDEAs (Ideas generation) - B+
2D Games Development (Flash and Actionscript) - N/a
Games Design Principles (Theory) - N/a
2D Graphic Tools (Photoshop and Illustrator) - N/a
Games Design and Development Studio (Art + Games) - N/a
History and Theory of Ideas (Philosophy) - N/a
GPA: 3.563

Semester 2 Modules:
Effective Speaking Skills - A
Character Development (Community Involvement Programme) - A
2D Games Development (Flash and Actionscript) - B
Games Design Principles (Theory) - B+
Human Computer Interface (Creating user-friendly interfaces) - B+
2D Graphic Tools (Photoshop and Illustrator) - B+
Games Design and Development Studio (Art + Games) - D+
History and Theory of Ideas (Philosophy) - D+
GPA: 2.423

Overall GPA: 2.617

Well... I've checked with my art teacher as to why I scored a near fail for my art. Apparently, he's got a much higher expectation over my work compared with most of the other students in my course. -.-

Updated Wish and Goals List

With the approach of my birthday (29th March), I've been receiving questions from various friends as to what I want for my birthday... so I decided to compile this. :D

Personal Life

1. To grow closer to my family
2. Eat more
3. Build muscle XD
4. Grow taller
5. Get a hamster :D
6. Someone I can spend the rest of my life with
7. Be a better art/english teacher
8. Have more students in my class

Spiritual Walk with God

1. Complete readings the following books in the Bible:
   - Psalms
   - Proverbs
   - 1 Corinthians
2. Make worship a huge part of my lifestyle
3. Fully exercise my giftings

Social Life

1. Develop better people skills
2. Develop a sense of humour

Studies

1. Score A+ in Art, MAYA, graphic tools (e.g. Photoshop and Illustrator) and scriptwriting
2. Get at G.P.A of at least 3
3. Master Flash and Javascript

Ambition/Work

1. Working full-time/part-time for the church once I'm done with NS and my studies
2. Freelance designing
3. Becoming an illustrator/comic artist/concept artist
4. Start up a design ministry if possible. :D
5. Help the current company I'm working at to earn as much as possible

Hobbies

1. Expand my portfolio
2. Improve my art skills
3. Draw something everyday
4. Get some story-writing done
5. Do up some comics
6. Spiff up my online portfolio
7. Finish some videos
8. Learn a music instrument (preferably the guitar or piano)
9. Learn a new language

Other people

1. All my friends will come to know Jesus. :)
2. Everyone will realize their full potential and succeed in life.

Character and Personality

1. To be more patient
2. Be someone who encourages and edifies
3. Be able to love more
4. Be a thinker
5. Be less absent-minded
6. Procrastinate less
7. Be more creative
8. Break free of certain addictions in my life

Items

1. Bible concordance
2. Mobile broadband subscription
3. Leather gloves which have the finger parts cut off
4. Music CDs:
   - Within Temptation
   - Kutless
   - Skillet
   - Casting Crowns
   - Steven Curtis Chapman
   - Celine Dion
5. Static-based cleaning equipment (It'd make cleaning my room a whole lot easier)
6. New furniture for my room:
   - Wardrobe
   - Bunk bed
   - Billboard
   - Black wall
   - Black and white tiling for my floor
   - Bookshelf and more good books
   - CD holder
   - Office table
   - Glass cabinet to store my various prized possessiona
   - Lean-back chair
7. Stuffed pig (life-sized, large enough for me to lean into and sleep on)
8. Beanbag couch
9. DVDs:
   - Fireproof
   - Facing the Giants
   - Remember the Titans
10. Game:
    - Left4Dead (PC)
    - Dissidia (PSP)
11. Inking set
12. Live model for posing
13. A proper portfolio file (A4 and A3)
14. My own room
15. A car
16. Lightbox
17. More butter paper and drawing materials

A Day of Games at IMPACT - 14th March

Well... it was pretty much a time of fun and games this time. Kudos to KC for having been such an entertaining commentator. :D

So anyway, we started having this game of untangling. It's a wee bit hard to explain but the game assures lots of chaos and screeching.

So... the game ended with some success (somewhat) with me giving up and taking photos of everyone and Royce being accidentally thrown out of the group while everyone was untangling themselves.

We then moved on to the next game: Pictionary.

For those who don't know the game, it's basically like charades, except you draw whatever it is, instead of acting it out. KC decided to give me "Creative Technology"

...

KC... I'll get you someday... *evil laughter*

So after a while, I decided to take more pictures.

When I went to help do something, I entrusted my camera to two certain girls *cough*Ashley and Indriani*cough* and they took the following pictures. o.o

Angered, I threw the podium at them (which happened to land nicely on its base). The girls managed to dodge but the podium hit Gabriel on the head and knocked him out. :(

Well, okay. No. We were just faking CPR but Gabriel freaked out when it came to the mouth-to-mouth part. :P

Kornelius: Just close your eyes and pretend he's a girl.

Gabriel: Nooooooooo!!!! *runs*

Royce: MUAHAHA!!!

Gabriel then decided to go the way of Ashley and Indriani (...Ashdriani? O.o)

The picture below is just a random photo of KC announcing that the pizza is ready. :D

More randomness. :D

(Pizza!!!!)

Best Final Fantasy VIII cosplay ever! Cactuar! :O

http://webkinzpound.com/photoshop/BlissDC.jpg

DISCLAIMER: If you wish to have a photo containing you in this post to be removed, let me know via MSN and I'll get it done ASAP.

Wishlist and Goals List

With the approach of my birthday (29th March), I've been receiving questions from various friends as to what I want for my birthday... so I decided to compile this. :D

Personal Life

1. To grow closer to my family
2. Spend more time sleeping
3. Eat more
4. Build muscle XD
5. Grow taller
6. Get a hamster :D
7. Someone I can spend the rest of my life with
8. Be a better art/english teacher
9. Have more students in my class

Spiritual Walk with God

1. Complete readings the following books in the Bible:
   - Psalms
   - Proverbs
   - 1 Corinthians
2. Make worship a huge part of my lifestyle
3. Fully exercise my giftings

Social Life

1. Develop better people skills
2. Develop a sense of humour
3. Understand what Coffee 'O' and Coffee 'C' are (Apparently, O means no sugar and C means milk only...)

Studies

1. Score A+ in Art, MAYA, graphic tools (e.g. Photoshop and Illustrator) and scriptwriting
2. Get at G.P.A of at least 3
3. Master Flash and Javascript

Ambition/Work

1. Working full-time/part-time for the church once I'm done with NS and my studies
2. Freelance designing
3. Becoming an illustrator/comic artist/concept artist
4. Start up a design ministry if possible. :D
5. Help the current company I'm working at to earn as much as possible

Hobbies

1. Expand my portfolio
2. Improve my art skills
3. Draw something everyday
4. Get some story-writing done
5. Do up some comics
6. Spiff up my online portfolio
7. Finish some videos
8. Learn a music instrument (preferably the guitar or piano)
9. Learn a new language

Other people

1. All my friends will come to know Jesus. :)
2. Everyone will realize their full potential and succeed in life.

Character and Personality

1. To be more patient
2. Be someone who encourages and edifies
3. Be able to love more
4. Be a thinker
5. Be less absent-minded
6. Procrastinate less
7. Be more creative
8. Break free of certain addictions in my life

Items

1. Bible concordance
2. Mobile broadband subscription
3. Leather gloves which have the finger parts cut off
4. Music CDs:
   - Within Temptation
   - Kutless
   - Skillet
   - Casting Crowns
   - Steven Curtis Chapman
   - Celine Dion
5. Static-based cleaning equipment (It'd make cleaning my room a whole lot easier)
6. New furniture for my room:
   - Wardrobe
   - Bunk bed
   - Billboard
   - Black wall
   - Black and white tiling for my floor
   - Bookshelf and more good books
   - CD holder
   - Office table
   - Glass cabinet to store my various prized possessiona
   - Lean-back chair
7. Stuffed pig (life-sized, large enough for me to lean into and sleep on)
8. Beanbag couch
9. DVDs:
   - Fireproof
   - Facing the Giants
   - Remember the Titans
10. Game:
    - Left4Dead (PC)
    - Dissidia (PSP)
11. Inking set
12. Live model for posing
13. A proper portfolio file (A4 and A3)
14. My own room
15. A car
16. Lightbox
17. More butter paper and drawing materials

40-Day Love Dare

Well... okay. I watched this movie called "Fireproof" and took notes. Wierd, eh? Well, don't look at me wierd. :P I just want to learn to be a good husband. XD

1. Say nothing negative - be affirmative.
2. Do something kind.
3. Buy/Do something that indicates you were thinking of her. And don't be cheap (not necessarily in monetary ways) about it.
4. Check up on her to make sure she's alright.
5. Pray for her.
6. Take time to listen to her.
7. Keep learning about her and her likes.
8. Express that she's valued.
9. Be patient.
10. Don't just act upon feelings. Be rational.
11. Don't let addictions get ahold of me.
12. Love and honour my parent-in-laws.
13. Defend her.
14. Help her in where she needs help.
15. Make time for her.
16. Show concern for her wellbeing.
17. Be honest.
18. Be humble.
19. Love and honour my own parents.
20. Put her essential NEEDS over my WANTS.

And apparently, there's such a book (40-Day Love Dare) out there being sold, according to my uncle. o.oAnyway, thinking back upon what a female lecturer (she used to work as a psychologist too) once told me, she said that a woman looks for security from her husband - and protection.

When she begins to feel neglected and unprotected, and when she begins to feel like there's no way the whole situation can be salvaged, she starts looking for all that elsewhere (be it consciously or subconsciously).

Correct me if I'm wrong on this. o.o

Opinions, anyone? ;o

My current muse...

This song's my current muse as I attempt to work at my addictions and overcome them with God. :)

Slow Fade - Casting Crowns

Well, I searched up on the soundtracks for the movie "Fireproof" after watching it yesterday and found this video.

By the way, the movie was AWESOME. I'd recommend that you watch it if you haven't.

Father's Love Letter

My Child,

You may not know me, but I know everything about you. Psalm 139:1
I know when you sit down and when you rise up. Psalm 139:2

I am familiar with all your ways. Psalm 139:3
Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. Matthew 10:29-31
For you were made in my image. Genesis 1:27
In me you live and move and have your being. Acts 17:28
For you are my offspring. Acts 17:28

I knew you even before you were conceived. Jeremiah 1:4-5
I chose you when I planned creation. Ephesians 1:11-12
You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book. Psalm 139:15-16
I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live. Acts 17:26
You are fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:14
I knit you together in your mother's womb. Psalm 139:13
And brought you forth on the day you were born. Psalm 71:6

I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me. John 8:41-44
I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love. 1 John 4:16
And it is my desire to lavish my love on you. 1 John 3:1
Simply because you are my child and I am your Father. 1 John 3:1

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could. Matthew 7:11
For I am the perfect father. Matthew 5:48
Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand. James 1:17
For I am your provider and I meet all your needs. Matthew 6:31-33

My plan for your future has always been filled with hope. Jeremiah 29:11
Because I love you with an everlasting love. Jeremiah 31:3
My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore. Psalms 139:17-18
And I rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17

I will never stop doing good to you. Jeremiah 32:40
For you are my treasured possession. Exodus 19:5

I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul. Jeremiah 32:41
And I want to show you great and marvelous things. Jeremiah 33:3

If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me. Deuteronomy 4:29
Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4
For it is I who gave you those desires. Philippians 2:13

I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine. Ephesians 3:20
For I am your greatest encourager. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you. Psalm 34:18
As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart. Isaiah 40:11
One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes. Revelation 21:3-4
And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth. Revelation 21:3-4

I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus. John 17:23
For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed. John 17:26
He is the exact representation of my being. Hebrews 1:3
He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you. Romans 8:31
And to tell you that I am not counting your sins. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you. 1 John 4:10
I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love. Romans 8:31-32
If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me. 1 John 2:23
And nothing will ever separate you from my love again. Romans 8:38-39

Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen. Luke 15:7
I have always been Father, and will always be Father. Ephesians 3:14-15

My question is… will you be my child? John 1:12-13

I am waiting for you. Luke 15:11-32

Love, Your Dad
Almighty God

More Photos from IMPACT

Well, I decided to be lazy this time... so no commentatory from me. :D

Photo of someone learning drums from the guy sitting down...

Another photo. :)

Preparing for a Jam session

My partner in crime.

Auntie Gracie discussing something with two of the girls. :)

And a tribute to our dear friend Edrik (who just came back).

One last photo of the guy learning. XD

That's about it. More photos next week. Maybe I'll be motivated to do another commentary then. :P

~Heian Edenwood, 10.03.2009

DISCLAIMER: If you wish to have a photo containing you in this post to be removed, let me know via MSN and I'll get it done ASAP.

Stop blaming games (or anything else) for how screwed up everything is getting to be.

Recently, I read an article in the Papers about a student stabbing his lecturer over his grades (if I haven't gotten my story wrong).

I'm not going to flame him. I'm not going to discuss about him much. I will AND am going to respect the grievances of his family. I'd send my condolences to them if I could.

However, the reason why I mentioned him was because a certain someone decided to pointed out that the reason why he did it was because he played too much World of Warcraft and it made him violent...

What the heck is it with people linking violence or all sorts of negativity to games and game developers/designers?

Mind you. I'm one myself, or at least a student of it. I DO TAKE OFFENSE to that statement.

To be honest, games have been linked to a lot of negative stuff. For example, addictions, sex, violence, drugs and whatnot.

And what's up with that?

Is everyone dooming and condemning me and my friends to creating such games?

I'm getting fed up with people associating games with these.

Sure, I'll admit that games such a Grand Theft Auto and and such do promote such games. However, those are merely one of the few games in the extremely HUGE world of games.

I'm sure board games like Tic-Tac-Toe and Snakes-and-Ladders promote raunchy sex. I'm sure games like Chess and Monopoly promote extreme violence and gore.

I'm sure games like badminton and tennies promote racism.I'm sure games like soccer promote prostitution.

I'm sure VIDEO games like Cooking Mama or Harvest Moon promote debauchery.

Games are merely reflections of what the modern world is like, very much like art, music and writing. Are we going to ban and flame those as well?

These reflections are what caused art and music forms to be created, such as Baroque, Classical, Cubism and Surrealism.

I have played Left4Dead. I have played Dungeons and Dragons. I have played Grand Theft Auto. I have played a lot of controversial games. You don't see or hear of me going around having mindless sex or shooting people down, do you?

This goes for a large majority of the world as well.As I mentioned earlier, games are merely reflections of society today.

Stop blaming games for things that happen. They are possible warnings and indications or a deeper rooted issue. If your friend or child is obsessed with something (not just games), there's probably something wrong with him/her (and I don't mean it in an insulting way).

People turn to games as a form of refuge. In the game, you are in control. In the game, you are powerful. In the game, you are confident. No one can hurt you.

With society evolving, it's placing more pressure on everyone.

Do this. Don't do this. Be this way. You're not liked for who you are. You're an idiot. You're useless. You're not beautiful. No one appreciates your talents. You're replaceable. You're expendable.

The list of what the world tells you goes on.

It's not a wonder people turn to media formats like these for refuge.

Stop to think about this if you have someone facing a problem of addiction (and I don't mean just liking it a lot. I mean being pratically GLUED to the thing) to something.

Why? What's the deeper issue? Are they receiving the love and encouragement they need? Do they know that they are important in your life?

Stop blaming other things. It's not about who's at fault. It's not even a matter whether you're at fault as to why they turned out the way they are. Start thinking about how you can resolve the issue instead.

And there ends my ranting. Good day to you all.

What man is a man who doesn't try to make the lives of those around him better?

A few weeks back, I remember watching a really good movie called "Kingdom of Heaven" over at someone's house.

I'm quite sure some of you will know this movie. :) It's a pity I fell asleep halfway through the movie, not because it was boring, but because I was too tired.

Anyway, the movie in itself wasn't exactly something that'd 'Wow!' you, originality-wise. However, it was a movie which managed to touch on topics such as our purpose in life and the things we defend.

One quote within the movie which struck me was this: What is a man who doesn't try to make the lives of people around him better?

I find it highly relevant in this current world today. Humaneness is on a steady decline. The only actual thing people talk about nowadays is money. We're all attempting to climb either the social or corporal ladder. There's a whole lot of backstabbing going around. It's a dog-eat-dog world.

Note the quote again.

Bringing the quote in context to our beliefs as Christians, what Christian is a Christian who doesn't try to make the lives of people around us better?

Everything in the media nowadays screams that we serve ourselves. It's a ME world and fast-food culture now. Everything screams ME! ME! ME! MEEEEEEEEE!

Annoying, no?

You know, bringing this to me (as a sales person), the most annoying type of person (who you can swear at) are the ones who demand that they get what they want immediately.

"Let me go check for you..."

"No. I want it now!" <--- Note the whiny baby moment. Moving on, if that's the case, what's the defining point of us as Christians in this aspect? We're called to serve. Jesus came to serve. We are CHRIST-ians. We simply follow the example. It's pretty much as simple as that.

But then again, where's the motivation?

Everywhere we look, we see people who serve get put down. Why would we want to get put down constantly?

Do people who truly serve honestly get put down?

Then again, what was their motivation for serving? And in turn, what was the quality of their performance? Did they do their best?

Coming from the service industry, I've noticed this: People can tell when you really serve with all your heart. And they react positively to it.

Sure, there are the fair share of nasty people who will still put you down. But as I always say... they can always go .

When you serve with all your heart and do your best, you receive the favour of people. And it's gotten me out of trouble quite a number of times. It's gotten me some free meals and items too - which can be translated into blessings on a larger scale. :)

Seriously. Serving isn't all that difficult. Just do your best and serve where your passion and heart is. God's going to deal with the rest.

IMPACT's a Fun Place to Be

What's IMPACT?

It's just a place where we learn about God, we worship, we read the Bible...


...

Yeah, yeah. We've got the whole deal with all Youth Groups in churches.

IMPACT's a lot more than just that. It's also a place where we have fun, where we have laughter, where we do weirdness we (as NORMAL people) always do together.

So anyway, sometime during the Saturday, during dinner time, I suddenly decided to take out my laptop and play around with the Crystal Eye webcam function.

It first started with something like this:

---

Preston (the guy to the right, in the jacket): Is that the Crystal Eye?
Kornelius (me - the guy in black, in the middle): Yeah! Let's take a photo!
*drags Phoenix (middle girl with glasses) and Vanessa (little girl) in*
Stephanie (girl at top): Oooo! *comes in*
*Photo gets taken*

---

Then, we decide to take another photo...

Preston: *forced grin*
Vanessa: Yay!
*Elizabeth (girl with open mouth) comes in*
Elizabeth: Whoo!
Phoenix: Oi! *gets blocked by Elizabeth*
Kornelius: o.o

So... succumbing to my desires, I got Phoenix and Vanessa to do weird faces with me. :D


Kornelius: Make a happy face! :D
Tingwei (passing guy in orange): Ha! I got into your photo!
Kornelius: Noooo....
Vanessa:

Rawr!



Taking another photo, Vanessa decided to laugh...

...
She's probably laughing at my misery with Tingwei entering the previous photo. :( (Haha... j/k. Love ya, sis.)

Okay... next thing, Phoenix, Vanessa and I were inching along, trying to get a good shot of the three following people:

Auntie Cecelia: *turns around* O.O *hides face*
Auntie Gracie and Uncle Maurice: *still unaware*
*Photo taken*
*All turn around*
Auntie Gracie: *long suffering look*
Uncle Maurice: O.o

After that, we went back to more photos. :D

Anyway, by then, most of the IMPACTers found out that we were taking photos, so we were swarmed upon...

http://x-tsumi-x.deviantart.com/art/L-and-the-fangirls-94005434

...
*silence*
...

Okay... Anyway, pandemonium kind of broke out with all of us screeching to get into the photo while some others were cackling away and blocking us.

So... the photos ended with this. =P

After that, I got too lazy to take more photos of the jamming session. Meh... maybe next time.

~Heian Edenwood, 03.03.2009

DISCLAIMER: If you wish to have a photo containing you in this post to be removed, let me know via MSN and I'll get it done ASAP.