Sui Generis

In the light of Valentines day, ipsomniac  and I had a discussion about biblical views on relationships and marriage (also because he was curious as to what he missed out on during discussion in small groups), which led to an incredible revelation (for us, anyway). 1 You know how we're all taught and lectured and reminded that we should not be unequally yoked in marriage? 2 First of all, let's look at 2 Corinthians 6:14-15: "[14]Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship have light with darkness? [15] What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?" Now, the first part of verse 14 is often quoted when speaking about/to a couple, where one partner is a believer while the other isn't. However, we have discovered that (or rather, tried to understand the context of which Paul is saying this in) 'unequally yoked' does not only necessarily mean marriage. It can  also mean...

I do suppose it's that time of the year again, where reflection is, I would say, the most adequate to do. 2015 has been a blessed year. When I mean blessed, I mean for myself. I've been given crazy opportunities to travel; far more than I can ever dream. It may have given me a brand new perspective in life -- a new mind, perhaps. At least that's what I hope I've acquired after all that. Thinking back on the year, I do suppose I've achieved a lot. I graduated with a second-upper; made my family, friends, and myself proud. I traveled parts of Europe; an experience I never imagined myself doing. I spent ten beautiful days in Japan; a dream I had convinced myself wasn't going to happen, but it did. I was accepted for that Masters degree; an opportunity I've never considered taking, but did. Wonderful relationships were made, celebrated and mourned over; a truly humbling experience. The world is also not without it's fair share of increasingly frequent...

Excuse the melancholic title, I was trying to put together my feelings and what would sound like Japan (land of the rising sun, get it?) Anyway, just three weeks ago, my ultimate dream was realized - I finally went to Japan. It was strange (yet, not really) because when I was in the nearly empty plane heading for Narita, I didn't feel a sense of nervousness, or excitement for that matter. I just felt exhausted, having just returned from nearly two weeks of intense travelling around parts of Europe, then flying off again the next night really worn me out. That said, I tried my best to catch some sleep during the flight of seven hours (it was a night flight). I recall waking up when the sun came up and saw one of the passengers seated in the next row take some pictures of the stunning sunrise glaring through the tiny window. Being jakun , I also did the same thing. well what do you know, it really is land of the rising sun! Landing in Narita at 8 am still didn't tickle ...

I've seen many people; observed them and their uniqueness that make them distinctively them, and I often ask myself: what are you doing with your life? Finding out little things about people (be it in a stalkerish way or asking directly like how a normal person would) is one of the most fun and exciting parts of knowing someone. And when you find out certain interests that you and that person in question share in common, you feel a sense of joy errupt in your soul, maybe a little bit of relief, as though finally, someone is interested in the same strange blend of things as you are - finally someone can understand you. I digress. Initially I wanted to go on about how uneventfully normal my life is. How ordinary are my various (half-baked, mediocre) skills I have attained over the years of my living here on Earth. All this I've forced myself to think about after finding out the aforementioned little things. Such talented people with bright minds and dare I say it, raw talent. ...