Today has been quite an amazing day I must say. As me and my friends went out, we met this guy who actually just arrived in Prague and you could actually see how helpless he felt because he said he didn't have enough money to buy a ticket to the place he has been offered work. He was from Slovakia and he was looking for jobs for very long and finally he was offered a rough work outside Prague.
When he received the food, he was the first person I've seen to have actually read the bible passage before opening the pack. I was really touched when I saw how earnestly he was reading and you could actually see how touched he was by it. And while noone noticed it, I saw tears and he was trying to hide them. Then he told us his story.
I just can't believe how amazing are God's ways. Like there's something in the bible that says HE will always provide for HIS faithfuls. And my friend gave him the amount of money he needed and from this, I was like thinking, the guy was really just despairing and probably felt hopeless, but God sent my friend to him and gave him exactly what he needed. I can't even describe properly the feelings really. I'm just totally amazed by how wonderful HE is!!
Truly Understand
After I heard about how a Catholic actually turned away from the Catholic teaching into thinking that Catholic teachings are wrong, I realised just how truly understanding your own faith is so important. Another thing, spiritual leaders can be people that can actually guide you to God or further from God.
When I heard about how this particular someone, A, said how A was so afraid last time that A would go to hell because of just one small sin and that A had to do the "necessary" practices in Catholic teachings in order to be saved, I was like, "So that's how A actually was led into thinking that Catholic faith is wrong."
For one thing, the practices or rituals or prayers that we do as Catholics, it was never taught that we would go to hell if we don't do them. Rather, we were taught that we should do everything for the love of Christ - because we love HIM, we want to worship HIM in every way that we know, and thus the daily routine stuffs.
And as for the concept of Purgatory, it was not a place of punishment and forever separation from God. At least from my understanding, God actually visits Purgatory and the souls there are never actually separated from God. They are just being purified so that they could be a pure soul before joining God while living in Purgatory.
From whatever that I've heard, I realise the importance of a spiritual leaders to have the right understandings before they try to teach any faith because their teachings would eventually seed into something shapes people's lives.
As for the concept of having the hieracchy in the Catholic church, how some protestants are against this concept, well, after attending the mass of Holy Thursday (the day before Good Friday), I realised that how priests are not actually leaders of churches but rather the "servant" figures of churches. The way how they devote their wholes lives praying to God and praying for others, for people that they don't even know, helping others, offering services to people, it all actually just depicts the status of priests as opposed to what other people believe that we just believe that priests have higher status than us. The part where the priest washed the feet of parishioners at the mass of Holy Thursday really struck me that fact even more.
All in all, I'm really glad that the spiritual leaders in all the churches I've gone to truly understand their faith and the teachings that I've learnt from them. And I'm really proud to be brought up a Catholic as well as that the fact that I know Catholic faith is so amazing in its own ways.
When I heard about how this particular someone, A, said how A was so afraid last time that A would go to hell because of just one small sin and that A had to do the "necessary" practices in Catholic teachings in order to be saved, I was like, "So that's how A actually was led into thinking that Catholic faith is wrong."
For one thing, the practices or rituals or prayers that we do as Catholics, it was never taught that we would go to hell if we don't do them. Rather, we were taught that we should do everything for the love of Christ - because we love HIM, we want to worship HIM in every way that we know, and thus the daily routine stuffs.
And as for the concept of Purgatory, it was not a place of punishment and forever separation from God. At least from my understanding, God actually visits Purgatory and the souls there are never actually separated from God. They are just being purified so that they could be a pure soul before joining God while living in Purgatory.
From whatever that I've heard, I realise the importance of a spiritual leaders to have the right understandings before they try to teach any faith because their teachings would eventually seed into something shapes people's lives.
As for the concept of having the hieracchy in the Catholic church, how some protestants are against this concept, well, after attending the mass of Holy Thursday (the day before Good Friday), I realised that how priests are not actually leaders of churches but rather the "servant" figures of churches. The way how they devote their wholes lives praying to God and praying for others, for people that they don't even know, helping others, offering services to people, it all actually just depicts the status of priests as opposed to what other people believe that we just believe that priests have higher status than us. The part where the priest washed the feet of parishioners at the mass of Holy Thursday really struck me that fact even more.
All in all, I'm really glad that the spiritual leaders in all the churches I've gone to truly understand their faith and the teachings that I've learnt from them. And I'm really proud to be brought up a Catholic as well as that the fact that I know Catholic faith is so amazing in its own ways.
A different week...
I must say, the way that this week started definitely is exceptional. First of all, on Sunday, after getting up to a day of dizziness, I thought that it would just go away. Until in the afternoon, when I was in the kitchen, I felt a wave of extreme dizziness swept over me and for a moment, i almost blacked out but I somehow managed to to get ahold of myself and was leaning on the kitchen counter for a while before I regained my body again.
After that, I thought everything would be fine and I continued my day with the dizziness. For a few times, I tried going for a shower but before I made it to the bathroom, i realised that it might be a bit dangerous with the ongoing dizziness. Then, in the evening, i finally couldn't take it anymore, I went to have a shower. And the worst thing happened, I almost blacked out in the bathroom after my shower. I actually fell against the wall for a moment while trying to fight for consciousness. I quickly came out of the bathroom and eventually managed to call my housemate for help.
After that, it was all a mess. At first, only Adeline was supposed to bring me over to the hospital opposite for check-up. However, the best part was that, I didn't have the energy after to even lift myself for most of the part and kept on falling down. Coincidentally our friends were at our apartment and one of them was a guy. So he offered to go with us to the hospital. However, after falling a few times just walking from the room to our door, they decided to call over another guy to help guide me to the hospital.
And after that, it's more like "Tour of the hospital" kinda thing. First, we were told to go to the surgery department. Then, they asked us to go to the neurology department. In that department, i got a thorough checkup with ECG and the tests for nervous system. Everything was fine and the differential diagnosis they gave me were my neck position was correct and that the circulation to my brain was not entirely correct and due to my stress, there wasn't enough blood to my head; and another diagnosis they gave me was that it could be panic attack. Then, they sent me to the Etiology department. In that department, the doctor didn't even bother to check me because he said that I was laughing so I should be fine.
Ah well, overall, it was really not a very nice experience. For one thing, when i nearly passed out in the bathroom, i was thinking, this time I'm dead because noone would know anything that happened to me, unlike in the past, when I fainted, there was always someone near me. In the end, I came to a conclusion, that it might be due to stress because i do realise that everytime i fainted, i was always under immerse amount of stress. This time was no exception as well. However, this time I didn't realise how much stress i was actually under and the sources of my stress were somewhat absurd as well.
Another thing that happened this week was that our friend actually tore the ligament in his foot while playing table tennis. And his foot now is in a cast.
I must say, this week has definitely been a week of visitations to hospital. Lol!!!
After that, I thought everything would be fine and I continued my day with the dizziness. For a few times, I tried going for a shower but before I made it to the bathroom, i realised that it might be a bit dangerous with the ongoing dizziness. Then, in the evening, i finally couldn't take it anymore, I went to have a shower. And the worst thing happened, I almost blacked out in the bathroom after my shower. I actually fell against the wall for a moment while trying to fight for consciousness. I quickly came out of the bathroom and eventually managed to call my housemate for help.
After that, it was all a mess. At first, only Adeline was supposed to bring me over to the hospital opposite for check-up. However, the best part was that, I didn't have the energy after to even lift myself for most of the part and kept on falling down. Coincidentally our friends were at our apartment and one of them was a guy. So he offered to go with us to the hospital. However, after falling a few times just walking from the room to our door, they decided to call over another guy to help guide me to the hospital.
And after that, it's more like "Tour of the hospital" kinda thing. First, we were told to go to the surgery department. Then, they asked us to go to the neurology department. In that department, i got a thorough checkup with ECG and the tests for nervous system. Everything was fine and the differential diagnosis they gave me were my neck position was correct and that the circulation to my brain was not entirely correct and due to my stress, there wasn't enough blood to my head; and another diagnosis they gave me was that it could be panic attack. Then, they sent me to the Etiology department. In that department, the doctor didn't even bother to check me because he said that I was laughing so I should be fine.
Ah well, overall, it was really not a very nice experience. For one thing, when i nearly passed out in the bathroom, i was thinking, this time I'm dead because noone would know anything that happened to me, unlike in the past, when I fainted, there was always someone near me. In the end, I came to a conclusion, that it might be due to stress because i do realise that everytime i fainted, i was always under immerse amount of stress. This time was no exception as well. However, this time I didn't realise how much stress i was actually under and the sources of my stress were somewhat absurd as well.
Another thing that happened this week was that our friend actually tore the ligament in his foot while playing table tennis. And his foot now is in a cast.
I must say, this week has definitely been a week of visitations to hospital. Lol!!!
Knowing my own faith
It's been almost two weeks since I've come to realise how some people actually thought that Catholic teachings are wrong teachings, which is of course surprising to me. I mean, before this, all I thought that the Protestants disagree with Catholics because of how we pray for intercession of Saints and the Virgin Mary. However, when this friend of mine suddenly said that Catholic teachings are wrong, I was totally hurt and I, of course, tried defending my own faith.
She said that Catholic teachings are wrong because she was a Catholic once and that she felt the way her church last time was calling praise to Jesus and Mary is wrong. In this matter, I feel that she's totally jumping into conclusion that the whole Catholic church is wrong because for one thing, I know that the Catholic church herself disagree to this kind of things as well, so I told her that this may only be applied in her own country.
Well then, she said that the Catholic doctrine of Purgatory is wrong because she believes that once someone dies, it's either he goes to hell (if he doesn't believe in Christ) or he goes to heaven and there's no such thing as "in between". For one thing, when I made my point of defense, I didn't realise the words that were coming out of my mouth smoothly despite the fact that I was afraid that I would be wrong. Eventually, when I checked up my points, the words that I spoke to her were actually true to our Catholic faith. I said that Purgatory is the place where people who have died and have the grace of God not to be condemned into hell but because of the sins that they have committed in their lives stay. And they can go to Heaven through prayers until they are purified and therefore can join Christ in heaven.
However, I do realise, that I don't really know my own faith well enough. I would say that seriously, whatever that came out of my mouth the other day was definitely not my own words. Anyway, after that, I went to see another friend of mine for guidance because I was seriously hurt and frustrated that someone actually condemned my faith. Well, she said that since Protestants actually branched out from the Catholic faith itself, it's not possible that Catholic teaches wrong stuffs.
What I think is that as long as everyone believes in Christ, I seriously don't think that we're that different at all. I mean, for one thing, I feel that we shouldn't judge anything. When I told my friend in my own church about this, he told me, sometimes people don't really know and understand our faith before that made any assumption, therefore I should just forget about it. I mean, after what he told me, I do realise something, that this friend of mine who condemned Catholic faith, despite that she was a Catholic, her knowledge of the Catholic teachings was really quite limited. So, I really don't blame her after that. However, what I do disagree is that she shouldn't judge anything because it's not our place to judge.
What I do learn from this experience is that, there are people out there who are against the Catholic faith even among Christians. And secondly, I found out that I've grown in faith after my encounter with my friend. I mean, i started reading and all and discussed with friends. And I'm glad that I actually had the chance to stand up and fight for my faith. And of course, I seriously need to know about my own faith more so that I wouldn't be stuck the next time I encounter such people again.
She said that Catholic teachings are wrong because she was a Catholic once and that she felt the way her church last time was calling praise to Jesus and Mary is wrong. In this matter, I feel that she's totally jumping into conclusion that the whole Catholic church is wrong because for one thing, I know that the Catholic church herself disagree to this kind of things as well, so I told her that this may only be applied in her own country.
Well then, she said that the Catholic doctrine of Purgatory is wrong because she believes that once someone dies, it's either he goes to hell (if he doesn't believe in Christ) or he goes to heaven and there's no such thing as "in between". For one thing, when I made my point of defense, I didn't realise the words that were coming out of my mouth smoothly despite the fact that I was afraid that I would be wrong. Eventually, when I checked up my points, the words that I spoke to her were actually true to our Catholic faith. I said that Purgatory is the place where people who have died and have the grace of God not to be condemned into hell but because of the sins that they have committed in their lives stay. And they can go to Heaven through prayers until they are purified and therefore can join Christ in heaven.
However, I do realise, that I don't really know my own faith well enough. I would say that seriously, whatever that came out of my mouth the other day was definitely not my own words. Anyway, after that, I went to see another friend of mine for guidance because I was seriously hurt and frustrated that someone actually condemned my faith. Well, she said that since Protestants actually branched out from the Catholic faith itself, it's not possible that Catholic teaches wrong stuffs.
What I think is that as long as everyone believes in Christ, I seriously don't think that we're that different at all. I mean, for one thing, I feel that we shouldn't judge anything. When I told my friend in my own church about this, he told me, sometimes people don't really know and understand our faith before that made any assumption, therefore I should just forget about it. I mean, after what he told me, I do realise something, that this friend of mine who condemned Catholic faith, despite that she was a Catholic, her knowledge of the Catholic teachings was really quite limited. So, I really don't blame her after that. However, what I do disagree is that she shouldn't judge anything because it's not our place to judge.
What I do learn from this experience is that, there are people out there who are against the Catholic faith even among Christians. And secondly, I found out that I've grown in faith after my encounter with my friend. I mean, i started reading and all and discussed with friends. And I'm glad that I actually had the chance to stand up and fight for my faith. And of course, I seriously need to know about my own faith more so that I wouldn't be stuck the next time I encounter such people again.
"God has better plans for me"
"God has better plans for me" And this is what I kept on telling myself when I felt depressed again and again by the fact that I'm repeating year. Seriously, I know it's been so long since I've repeated year, but still the feeling of disappointment and helplessness do seep in now and then. It's exactly like what my friend once told me, that I would feel like this until I've finally finished Biochemistry which is like less than a month away. Yup, I'm in the mode where I'm almost cracking my skull trying to remember the facts in the Harper's book.
Anyway, seriously, I do believe that God does have better plans for me. I mean, to think that I've actually gained so much within this short period of time of repeating the year. I don't think if I were in third year, I would have done the things i've done the past few months.
And for one thing, I've come to realise, to my own surprise, how many people out there are actually rooting for me. I mean, the other day, I met this friend from church on the tram when suddenly he asked me when's my exam and all. And when I told him I am doing my exam earlier, he was like suddenly fired up and said, "I can't wait for you to go to the exam and kick butts which I'm sure you will." And he was reassuring me again not to give up by reminding me about his own story. I mean, I didn't expect him to remember what I've been through and actually cared enough to keep on praying for me when I only meet him like once in a week or maybe even less.
These past few months have been hard but as well, rewarding for me. I've learnt so many things. For one thing, I've come to see how God can work through so many different ways in people's lives. I don't know if I'm going to be alright in my upcoming exam, but I know, no matter what happens, God is always there for me. And to my reader(s), thank you for your support. Do keep me in your prayers. Thank you.
Anyway, seriously, I do believe that God does have better plans for me. I mean, to think that I've actually gained so much within this short period of time of repeating the year. I don't think if I were in third year, I would have done the things i've done the past few months.
And for one thing, I've come to realise, to my own surprise, how many people out there are actually rooting for me. I mean, the other day, I met this friend from church on the tram when suddenly he asked me when's my exam and all. And when I told him I am doing my exam earlier, he was like suddenly fired up and said, "I can't wait for you to go to the exam and kick butts which I'm sure you will." And he was reassuring me again not to give up by reminding me about his own story. I mean, I didn't expect him to remember what I've been through and actually cared enough to keep on praying for me when I only meet him like once in a week or maybe even less.
These past few months have been hard but as well, rewarding for me. I've learnt so many things. For one thing, I've come to see how God can work through so many different ways in people's lives. I don't know if I'm going to be alright in my upcoming exam, but I know, no matter what happens, God is always there for me. And to my reader(s), thank you for your support. Do keep me in your prayers. Thank you.
Giving Up
Sometimes it just seems so super easy to just give up and start all over again. I mean, what could be the worst thing that come out of it right? Just as long as you're happy right?
Well, recently, I kept on thinking about this and that. Then, I realise, I'm definitely super lucky to be able to have that kind of thought but still have the chance to keep on fighting and give it my best shot. I mean, some people don't even have that kind of chance.
So, all I want to say is, when you feel like giving up, think about those who didn't even have the chance to even consider keep on fighting.
Well, recently, I kept on thinking about this and that. Then, I realise, I'm definitely super lucky to be able to have that kind of thought but still have the chance to keep on fighting and give it my best shot. I mean, some people don't even have that kind of chance.
So, all I want to say is, when you feel like giving up, think about those who didn't even have the chance to even consider keep on fighting.
1 Litre of Tears - Kona Yuki
These few days I was rather down for the fact that my exam's coming up real soon. And at times I felt so pressured that I felt I couldn't breathe. For some reasons, giving up seems like very easy.
And at times, I felt like it's unfair for me to repeat year and that my pride was severely damaged by this. As I watched people who were supposed to be a year junior than me register with me for a certain exam, reality just feels so harsh at times.
So I was watching the above video, then I realised, how many people can actually have that kind of blessing of being able to live overseas, let alone living a dream? For one thing, when I look at the missing or dead victims of the natural disasters that occurred not long ago, I was just thinking how many of the young people could actually have been a very good doctor in the future. Well, I just feel that I should really do my best, because I'm actually living some of their dreams.
A walk through Prague
A sunny day, a walk along the river of Prague - totally amazing!!!!
Was taking a stroll back home from church. It was a really nice walk as I got to think about some things which of course couldn't be settled still. Lol!!! Nevertheles, it was still a beautiful journey.
I passed by Ujezd where Petrin Hill is. And the best thing about this place is that there this park where the cherry blossom trees line the sides. So when you're walking through the park, you're kinda like walking with cherry blossom trees on both of your sides. Super beautiful.
And then, I was walking through the bridge. The view of river was definitely spectacular!!! I mean, like today I really got a very different kind of view from my previous times. As I was just standing there, looking along the river, it's just so amazing how beautiful Prague can really be, even without the Old Town Square. The view of the castle, Charles Bridge, the small park underneath the bridge and the shaded area of the penisular. Wow!!!
Another competitor!!!
Well well...what I thought was confirmed by another friend of mine..Two weeks ago, I thought that maybe it's just me thinking too much,that a particular girl was going to fancy the guy that I have a crush on. And yesterday, another friend just confirmed with me that he noticed how she likes to stick to A (the guy I have a crush on). Hmph!!!! Lol!!! It's kinda fun to have been able to see how people are actually fond of A because of how much a nice guy he is. I mean, seriously, he's like the nicest guy I've ever met (of course, except my own brothers). And it's kinda fun that I am able to "stake my claim" over A!!! Lol!!! Seriously, hahahahahahahahahaha...
Anyway, i'm just really grateful for being able to know such a great guy and that he knows me too. In a way, he's really like a great great big brother figure kinda thing. Probably because he has younger sibling or what, somehow, when he's like talking or teaching us anything, he's really like an adult talking to a younger person kinda thing. Super patient and kind and his expression like that of an older brother talking to a kid, that's really like very sweet!!
Ok, I just realised I might actually just write this whole blog just about him. Well, to be honest, my mind is actually just filled of memories of him...Lol!!! Ok, change of topic.
Well, last night we went to a party held by friends that just moved. I seriously love their new apartment. It's so homey. Like the whole setting kinda thing. A super comfortable place. And of course, had the chance to eat like lots of chinese food which of course occur rather rarely, was definitely great. Hihihi...
Overall, this whole week has been really a week packed with thrills and satisfaction.
Anyway, i'm just really grateful for being able to know such a great guy and that he knows me too. In a way, he's really like a great great big brother figure kinda thing. Probably because he has younger sibling or what, somehow, when he's like talking or teaching us anything, he's really like an adult talking to a younger person kinda thing. Super patient and kind and his expression like that of an older brother talking to a kid, that's really like very sweet!!
Ok, I just realised I might actually just write this whole blog just about him. Well, to be honest, my mind is actually just filled of memories of him...Lol!!! Ok, change of topic.
Well, last night we went to a party held by friends that just moved. I seriously love their new apartment. It's so homey. Like the whole setting kinda thing. A super comfortable place. And of course, had the chance to eat like lots of chinese food which of course occur rather rarely, was definitely great. Hihihi...
Overall, this whole week has been really a week packed with thrills and satisfaction.
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