tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78306972024-03-19T17:54:16.369+08:00Me, Life and Everything In Between...My ramblings... for nobody and anybody...Danny Chenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18181171720994992308noreply@blogger.comBlogger452125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7830697.post-42141754939638487452016-06-08T14:53:00.002+08:002016-06-08T15:03:04.421+08:00So far so good...What I've done so far...<br />
1. Kept my exercise regime up...<br />
2. Starting keeping in touch with some of my long lost friends...<br />
3. Attempting to learn Japanese...<br />
<br />
Haven't gotten to learning something new... or have I? :)<br />
<br />
Here's to keeping this up! Danny Chenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18181171720994992308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7830697.post-15333139400748289102016-05-31T10:27:00.003+08:002016-05-31T10:27:42.639+08:00Self Improvement 2016I know its abit late to create a new year's resolution list but I guess its better late than never right? So this year in 2016, I will attempt to:<br />
<ol>
<li>keep in touch with an old friend each week on FB, one that I've rarely keep in touch with and one I can meaningfully reconnect.</li>
<li>For 1 hour per night, learn a new skill (idea courtesy of Jack Ma), can be ongoing or one new skill per night... any skill.</li>
<li>Learn, and maybe master, a new language (thinking about starting with Japanese)</li>
<li>Reduce my weight 1 kg at a time (4 down, hopefully 5 more to go, at least!).</li>
</ol>
Gambatei, Danny Chen, you can do it! Danny Chenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18181171720994992308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7830697.post-18803854830346293262014-04-05T21:47:00.001+08:002014-04-05T21:47:09.928+08:00Literally or Contextually?Today I read some articles that pointed out that a lot of Christians have used bible verses too literally and that those verses often quoted are taken in the wrong context. For example, Jeremiah 29:11 that says<span class="text Jer-29-11" id="en-NIV-19647"> “</span><span class="text Jer-29-11" id="en-NIV-19647">For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.</span><span class="text Jer-29-11" id="en-NIV-19647">” </span><br />
<span class="text Jer-29-11" id="en-NIV-19647"><br /></span>
<span class="text Jer-29-11" id="en-NIV-19647">Now, there is reason in the article's argument that the verse had to be read in the context of where the Israelites was at the point of time: in exile, in Babylon, in despair. I can understand that. However, it also argues that it should not be used for when we are having a bad day or when things don't go our way. In a way that is also true but I believe that by saying we need to look at ONLY the situational context then we are limiting what is the WORD of GOD. </span><br />
<span class="text Jer-29-11" id="en-NIV-19647"><br /></span>
<span class="text Jer-29-11" id="en-NIV-19647">Yes, God's Word should be read in context and should not be used in vain or for our own selfish gain but God's Word being GOD'S WORD should also be powerful enough for use to meditate on and used in more ways than one, right? </span><br />
<span class="text Jer-29-11" id="en-NIV-19647"><br /></span>
<span class="text Jer-29-11" id="en-NIV-19647">So what if Jer 29:11 is used as a source of comfort, strength, peace and assurance? Not only for the big things or "Godly things" but also to help us overcome the little struggles that we face in our daily lives. I'd rather that God's Word be used to help and encourage Christians, especially those young in faith, to keep their eyes on Jesus, even if it means sometimes taking the verses literally. </span><br />
<br />
<span class="text Jer-29-11" id="en-NIV-19647">God works in all sorts of ways and in all sorts of manner... what is more important is that we keep clinging on God's Word and allow God's Spirit to work in and through us so that eventually we can truly get what God wants to say to us, in whatever context he wants us to understand it in. Only then can the very Word of God be fully realized in our lives... don't you think so?</span>Danny Chenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18181171720994992308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7830697.post-51128655743661435662014-03-23T09:51:00.000+08:002014-03-23T09:51:21.265+08:00Club BashingI just don't understand why some people have to bash other person's club up for some reason or another. It is understandable to not like another club because of rivalry but to go to the extend of publicly bashing another club when the opportunity arises is just not on. It seems to me like their hatred for another club supersedes their love of their own club. That is just strange to me.<br />
<br />
<br />
Oh well. Danny Chenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18181171720994992308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7830697.post-51360538656734652692014-02-27T14:16:00.000+08:002014-02-27T14:16:02.711+08:00AwesomeI actually wanted to comment on this topic of awesomeness on Facebook but felt that it was not the right forum to address this issue. So I turn to my good ol' trusty blog to give the world my 2 cents, partly because there is less traffic passing through my blog nowadays and partly, that's the purpose of a blog anyway: to voice my own personal opinion. So here goes...<br />
<br />
I noticed lately that a lot of people like to throw the word "AWESOME" around freely and on anything interesting that they see/heard/felt, e.g.<br />
<ul>
<li>This Tomyam noodles is awesome.</li>
<li>You can come for my birthday? Awesome.</li>
<li>Your guitar skills is really awesome.</li>
<li>Wow, the new clothes from H&M looks awesome.</li>
</ul>
Well, NO. the noodles may be DELICIOUS, you may be HAPPY that someone is attending your birthday, your friend's guitar skills may be WICKED and the new clothes from H&M looks really COOL but those things are by definition NOT awesome. <br />
<br />
Someone told me that awesomeness should be one of those few words that we should reserve for GOD because nothing and no one deserves it more that He does. I wholeheartedly agree with him/her and since then I have not used the word awesome for anything except for God. Look at the synonyms associated with the word awesome: <span>breathtaking, </span><span>awe-inspiring, </span><span>magnificent, </span><span>wonderful, </span><span>amazing, </span><span>stunning, </span><span>staggering, </span><span>imposing, </span><span>stirring</span>. Does anything else deserve such accolades. Even the things/beings he created: Grand Canyon, the Milky Way, my wife and my child... they may be beautiful and lovely to behold but when I use the word awesome with them, its more about me being in awe with who God is and what He has done. I feel using it in any other context would just cheapen the word.<br />
<br />
In fact, the Bible also says the word awesome belongs to God and God alone: <span class="text Job-25-2" id="en-NIV-13464">“Dominion and awe belong to God;</span><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Job-25-2">He establishes order in the heights of heaven.</span></span>" - Job 25:2.<br />
<br />
So if you would, use the word sparingly... please, because only God is AWESOME. Danny Chenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18181171720994992308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7830697.post-21391288281518129462014-02-14T11:24:00.000+08:002014-03-23T09:53:10.783+08:00V for... ?Wow... I just realized that this blog is almost 10 years old... its a sign of how technology has moved on that I hard blog anymore.<br />
<br />
Oh btw, don't let the money-men fool you into spending loads on Valentine's day. Valentine's day was a day to remember love's sacrifice. So the best Valentine's day gift your can give is to give YOURSELF 100% to your loved ones every day of yours and their lives. <br />
<br />
So here's wishing you a great Valentine's day and more importantly a great beginning to a great weekend! ;)Danny Chenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18181171720994992308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7830697.post-766788066703783402011-11-24T11:12:00.001+08:002014-03-23T09:52:11.452+08:00RebootI need to return to my roots and use this blog more frequently as a place to reflect, review, recharge, renew and sometimes, react (though I actually have another place to just for that purpose!).<br />
<br />
<br />
The only problem is I am not much of a writer. Yes, I mused about stuff all the time but I am usually too lazy to put them down into words. Oh well... lets see how long this latest effort will last, shall we? :) <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Danny Chenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18181171720994992308noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7830697.post-50337722188493756022011-08-30T10:44:00.003+08:002011-08-30T10:47:47.351+08:00Drinking water.Don't know if this is true...
<br />
<br />Drinking water at a certain time maximizes its effectiveness on the body:
<br />2 glasses of water after waking up - helps activate internal organs.
<br />1 glass of water 30 minutes before a meal - helps digestion.
<br />1 glass of water before taking a bath - helps lower blood pressure.
<br />1 glass of water before going to bed - avoids stroke or heart attack.
<br />
<br />If its true, great! If not, well... at least I'm hydrated! :)
<br />Danny Chenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18181171720994992308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7830697.post-76667766222497611622011-08-08T11:23:00.002+08:002011-08-08T11:39:14.980+08:00There's been some discussion on the Net about putting together a team that would defeat Barcelona. Here's my contribution to the cause:<br /><br />Forwards:<br />Rooney Ronaldo Aguero<br />Midfield:<br />Modric Wilshere<br />De Jong<br />Defenders:<br />Coentrao Jones Silva Maicon<br />Goalkeeper:<br />NeuerDanny Chenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18181171720994992308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7830697.post-79558867965940469722011-07-17T06:13:00.002+08:002014-03-23T09:52:25.546+08:00What if I have 161 million pounds in the bank?What will you do if you have 161 million pounds? I really dunno man...Danny Chenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18181171720994992308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7830697.post-76689970703184942932011-06-08T11:07:00.003+08:002011-06-08T11:55:58.597+08:00Barcelona 2011 = Football MastersIts been 2 weeks since Man Utd lost to Barca in the CL finals. It still hurts but I have to admit, Josep Guardiola did an amazing job putting together a squad like that. <br /><br />Some of the interesting things he did...<br /><br />1. using a withdrawn striker like Messi pull midfielders and leaving central defenders with nothing to mark.<br />2. using 2 strikers (Villa and Pedro) as wide men to receive Messi's passes. Confusing both opposing full backs and central defenders and allowing its own full backs space to run up and down the sidelines.<br />3. finally, and this is a genius... using a defensive midfielder (Mascherano) as a defender. Having Pique as a lone central defender is no problem as Man Utd had deployed a lone striker and having 2 defensive midfielders (Busquets and Mascherano) in front of and beside the main defender allows maximum protection to the keeper. <br /><br />Brilliant! Now if we can find a way to negate all that...Danny Chenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18181171720994992308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7830697.post-1723758110471560322011-06-06T14:33:00.005+08:002011-06-06T14:51:16.845+08:00Missing dogLately I've seen so many Lost Pet posters springing up near my neighborhood and all over Penang. This got me thinking and I've come to a conclusion that the only way people can stop losing their dogs is to choose the right breed to keep as a pet. If you choose a poodle or a schnauzer or any other pure bred small dog, its gonna go missing if left unattended. "So what is your solution then?", I hear you ask... and here is my answer:<br /><br />GET A MONGREL, and a FEMALE one at that.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5r2aQzkky6v4Rc98KMW3dJO5ELpa0iu5ewPkN4Fe7Nosom0T7T7-krn7Hle71oMJ69LVkIlw_DttqSZCWfgwgDx6LDnrVLwM3U0mAetWqvbFcn8iu3sq4PRXKjw3wOPcsLOdJhA/s1600/RN_Dog_Mixed_Breed.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 185px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5r2aQzkky6v4Rc98KMW3dJO5ELpa0iu5ewPkN4Fe7Nosom0T7T7-krn7Hle71oMJ69LVkIlw_DttqSZCWfgwgDx6LDnrVLwM3U0mAetWqvbFcn8iu3sq4PRXKjw3wOPcsLOdJhA/s200/RN_Dog_Mixed_Breed.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614995624678189426" border="0" /></a><br />If you treat them with the same kinda love and care (and yes, spaying them is part of caring for them) as you would a pure bred, you will have a loving dog who not only is loyal but have had all the bad genes bred out of it already. Try the yellow fur variety. They are so ubiquitous yet so cute and loving, and no one wants too kidnap them. They have absolutely no financial value to others. Give them a try... adopt a mongrel instead.<br /><br />Really...Danny Chenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18181171720994992308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7830697.post-80165914221323822482011-05-09T14:58:00.002+08:002011-05-09T14:59:13.640+08:00Getting there2 more matches, 1 more final... you think we can do it?<br /><br />Cross our fingers... hope the players are not complacent!Danny Chenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18181171720994992308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7830697.post-75224850464961403772011-04-27T16:18:00.011+08:002011-05-24T00:24:36.945+08:00EDCEDC stands for "Every-Day Carry. generally referring to small items or gadgets worn, carried, or made available in pockets, holsters, or bags on a daily basis to manage common tasks or for use in unexpected situations or emergencies. "<br /><br />This is my ideal EDC in bag:<br /><ol><li>Benchmade Mini-Griptilian 556 folding knife</li><li>Leatherman Charge TTi multifunction tool with Bit-Kit (with sheaths)<br /></li><li>Gerber pocket sharpener<br /></li><li>Fenix PD31 flashlight<br /></li><li>First aid kit</li><li>Emergency Space Blanket<br /></li><li>60m dental floss</li><li>Wet-wipes</li><li>Energy bar<br /></li><li>USB card reader<br /></li><li>Peanut stainless-steel lighter</li><li>iPod Nano 16gb MP3 player<br /></li><li>Pentax W90 rugged camera</li><li>Zebra Sharbo X multi-pen</li><li>Moleskine XS notebook<br /></li></ol>This is my ideal EDC in pockets:<br /><ol><li>Casio PRG-130T multifunction watch/Seiko SKZ249K1 200m diver's watch<br /></li><li>Samsung Galaxy S2 16gb smartphone</li><li>S-Biner #3 and keychain with house-keys, eGear Pico LED mini-flashlight, Sandisk 16gb flash drive & Gerber Shard tool<br /></li><li>S-Biner #3 and car keys with ResQMe emergency tool</li><li>Fenix LD10 flashlight</li><li>Victorinox Moneyclip</li><li>Wallet</li><li>Coin pouch<br /></li><li>Victorinox Climber or Huntsman SAK </li><li>Lamy 4pen multi-pen<br /></li><li>Clorets mint tablets<br /></li></ol>Danny Chenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18181171720994992308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7830697.post-20147076025964019352011-04-11T15:59:00.002+08:002011-04-11T16:46:09.673+08:00Counting chicksWhy is everyone saying Man Utd have one hand on their 19th title when they still have so many big, big matches to play? Just look the fixtures below: <br /><br />Tuesday, 12 April 2011<br />Uefa Champions League Man Utd v Chelsea, (agg 1-0), QFL1, L2, 19:45<br />Saturday, 16 April 2011<br />The FA Cup Man City v Man Utd, SF, 17:15<br />Tuesday, 19 April 2011<br />Barclays Premier League Newcastle v Man Utd, 19:45<br />Saturday, 23 April 2011<br />Barclays Premier League Man Utd v Everton, 12:45<br />Sunday, 1 May 2011<br />Barclays Premier League Arsenal v Man Utd, 14:05<br />Sunday, 8 May 2011<br />Barclays Premier League Man Utd v Chelsea, 16:10<br />Saturday, 14 May 2011<br />Barclays Premier League Blackburn v Man Utd, 12:45<br />Sunday, 22 May 2011 <br />Barclays Premier League Man Utd v Blackpool, 16:00<br /><br />That's just way over-optimistic. Calm down guys...Danny Chenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18181171720994992308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7830697.post-14855132489504755152011-03-28T10:58:00.002+08:002011-03-28T11:01:16.077+08:00AttendanceI just noticed that Germany's Bundesliga clubs consistently scores high for highest average attendance in a match. How come their clubs don't seem to be rated as highly as Spain, Italy or England??? Hrm...Danny Chenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18181171720994992308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7830697.post-5418089986177562842011-03-26T14:26:00.001+08:002011-03-26T14:28:35.268+08:00Fabio oh Fabio!How in the world did Fabio Capello turn from a world-class manager to a world-class loser so quickly?! Never have I seen someone become so inept so quickly before.Danny Chenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18181171720994992308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7830697.post-39490305719487898232011-03-15T07:53:00.003+08:002011-03-15T07:55:16.764+08:00Chasm1 night and the emptiness is felt. <br />2 more nights, can I stand the void?Danny Chenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18181171720994992308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7830697.post-72945050952789323642011-03-09T13:55:00.000+08:002011-03-09T13:56:00.547+08:00Frus and aloneIts hard to ignore it when everyone seems to turn on you. All I have<br>is a cold gone bad. Why do all of you have to avoid me like so?Danny Chenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18181171720994992308noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7830697.post-50147132990196946412011-03-06T23:58:00.001+08:002011-03-06T23:59:41.850+08:00EpiphanyI just had an epiphany of sorts this afternoon: "That life is just not worth getting upset over... can do do... cannot do, leave it in God's hands... all things will some how work themselves out" and maybe its starting to work??? <br /><br />I don't want to jinx things though... So should I let the world know?Danny Chenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18181171720994992308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7830697.post-89306323566041745772011-02-27T14:39:00.001+08:002011-02-27T14:40:25.008+08:00My nose is running away...Cold, cold go away... <br />Let my nose clear up today... :(Danny Chenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18181171720994992308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7830697.post-87888574849728494912011-02-23T00:05:00.004+08:002011-02-23T00:11:28.822+08:00My kinda watch! :)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://blog.zedray.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/se-liveview.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 206px;" src="http://blog.zedray.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/se-liveview.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />I've just found out about Sony Ericsson's upcoming accessory product called LiveView. Its got to be the coolest gadget out there and as a lover of watches, I think this concept will take watches into a new dimension... merging another important equipment in our lives, our timepieces, with another, our phones. The amount of possibilities and functions you can add is limitless. I can't wait to see what developers can do with this concept! :)Danny Chenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18181171720994992308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7830697.post-75913497084328068132011-02-22T18:16:00.003+08:002011-02-22T18:25:57.297+08:00I HATE APPLE!<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.wareground.com/images/400/do_you_hate_apple_news.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 199px;" src="http://www.wareground.com/images/400/do_you_hate_apple_news.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /></div>As bad as Microsoft is, no other IT company makes life a living HELL more than Apple (the company, not the fruit... which I love). Its so hard to transfer songs from my comp to my iPod Shuffle! I thought I could use one of those iPod alternatives... but after I tried a few, all I got was I need to use iTunes to sync my music! I don't want to use iTunes to sync cos its so un-user-friendly. After a few tries, I gave up.<br /><br />So now I am back at square-1 trying to install iTunes and restoring the stupid device's default setting and looks like I have to use iTunes again.<br /><br />:(Danny Chenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18181171720994992308noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7830697.post-50357454681650901992011-02-21T23:33:00.004+08:002011-02-21T23:56:08.045+08:00Listening EarRadio stations I like to listen to:<br /><ol><li>BBC Radio 4 (News, Current Affairs, Arts & Culture)<br /></li><li>BBC Radio 5 Live (News, Chat & Sports)<br /></li><li>BBC Radio 7 (Comedy & Drama)<br /></li><li>BBC World Service (World News & Current Affairs)<br /></li><li>Classic FM (Classical)<br /></li><li>RTHK Radio 4 (Classical)<br /></li><li>RTHK Radio 5 (HK Opera)<br /></li><li>Shonan Beach FM (Easy Listening, Jazz & Classical)</li><li>WNYC (News & Culture)</li></ol>Danny Chenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18181171720994992308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7830697.post-60886505714688045212011-02-21T13:45:00.004+08:002011-02-21T13:49:47.574+08:00Updating...For those of you who have been to my blog previously, you would notice that I've "renovated" my blog slightly to make it look fresher. I like it... and I hope you do too. I'll try to keep it updated as time permits.<br /><br />I realise this is a good place for me to rant and rave about general stuff and it also keeps my written English from becoming rusty. Good eh? :)<br /><br />Oklah... stay tuned and here's to a more updated 2011 :)Danny Chenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18181171720994992308noreply@blogger.com0