Sleepy Day

The weather has been very good today (ie. cloudy and cool) with max. around 21C and it made me feel sleepy the whole day.

Expecting around 19C tomorrow and the following day although there's a chance of thunderstorm for both days.

Love the rain and the clouds, not the thunder and/or hail storm.

Truth or Fiction

I found a website where you can check whether or not the news you have received through email is true (eg. 9/11 events, tsunami, etc.). You can also find the story about Ashley Smith what I posted here yesterday (ie. a hostage released after reading her captor "Purpose-Driven Life"). Just follow this link.

More On The Purpose Driven Life

What is the connection between "The Purpose-Driven Life" and Fidel Castro, Chinese government, and Philippines government? Read it here.

This is also taken from Phil's blog.

The Purpose Driven Life

I've got the following story from Phil Baker.

Ashley Smith was taken hostage by Brian Nichols. Brian had taken four lives before taking Ashley as a hostage. After reading Rick Warren's Purpose-Driven Life book, Brian let Ashley go and surrendered to the police. The following is the transcript of Warren's interview by Larry King.

Very Lovely Weather

The weather has been good since yesterday. Plenty of clouds in the sky and few showers. The temp. is currently around 29C, much better than during the beginning of the week (ie. hot and around 37-40C). I really do hope the weather would stay for a while. Forecast for next week is lots of rain and max. temp. about 21-24C.

Another Green Honda

Honda Insight, a hybrid car with the best fuel consumption, has featured in another movie. The movie is called "Be Cool", a sequel to Get Shorty, starring John Travolta, Danny DeVito, Uma Thurman, The Rock, Cedric The Entertainer, etc.

Here's a brief of my post on February 19th, 2005 regarding environmental awareness if you happen to miss it. Honda Insight had been used in movies that either promote environmental awareness or at least touching the surface of topics on environment (i.e. The One [starring: Jet Li] & The Day After Tomorrow [starring: Dennis Quaid, Jake Gullenhaal]).

However, the car itself didn't last long in Australia due to high price and impracticality (still selling in America). Hybrid cars are getting practical and looking more like other conventional cars nowadays, but the price of getting one is still beyond belief. In Australia, the only hybrid cars are Toyota Prius II and Honda Civic Hybrid (medium class).

Honda has relesed Honda Accord (large family class) V6 Hybrid in America that has the same power as a conventional V6 sedan with a very economical fuel consumption (comparable to small class cars). Honda Australia has no plan of introducing the hybrid version of Accord in Australia.

Good Friday

The drama went quite well on all services (9am, 11am & 3pm). The weather was fine 29C. Today has been a very good day! Feeling tired now after volunteering at church from 7am-4.30pm, however it is worth it because lots of people responded yes to God today.

Paint Protection, Rustproof, etc.

I had my car checked for rust today. I have it done once every year and it's definitely worth it!

For only $99, you get the following done to your car:
*. Rust check & re-spray, particularly for under body of the car.
*. Re-spray of paint coating - smell and look like a brand new car in a showroom.
*. No more light scratches & ugly dents - can't completely remove deep scratches & dents though, but it looks much better!
*. Clean interior (ie. they do the vacuuming).

By the way, they need to have your car washed at least two days before the inspection to remove muds and other excessive dirts. If you haven't done so, they'll wash your car for only $10.

The inspection & re-treatment of your car prevent the paint from fading and/or damaged by birds' dropping (act like acid to your car paint here in Australia). You can also expect extra re-sale value in the long run. So, you might want to get the paint protection and rust proofing when you get a new car.

The place is called Beam inspection centre in East Perth. They also have several inspection centres at remote areas.

Parking & SMS

The future of parking is here! The new system is called iPark.

All you have to do is sms the parking station number and your iPark sticker ID on your car. You'll get a reminder thru sms when your parking time is 10 minutes away from expiry. Using sms, you can also top up your parking ticket without even having to walk back to your car.

A parking officer can also notify you using your iPark ID number to reach you through sms if your car is leaking oil, etc. The new system has been installed in Subiaco.

Easter Plan

I've been positioned as hand-held camera operator (9am & 11am) and as static camera operator (3pm) for easter services @ riverview. Have to be @ church 7am for the first service.

I've volunteered for many easter services @ riverview. Having people getting to know and giving their lives to Christ every easter is definitely worth of volunteering and waking up early in the morning.

My"'early in the morning" can be different to you especially if you don't live in Australia and other western countries, have early start job and/or have kids...

The only time I had to wake up 5am every morning (Monday-Saturday) was during my kindergarten until senior high. Schools usually starts between 6.45am-7.00am in Indonesia and finishes around 12.30pm (excluding extra school activities such as sports, computer lessons, etc. which normally happen from 1pm up to 5pm).

What about you? (doesn't really matter if you're from Indonesia as you might have different experience)

Getting A Bit Better

Feeling a bit better today. I must admit that my recovery is faster than usual considering that the medication is not the one I normally take and it's less in dosage.

That's Life

Hasn't been blogging since Wednesday due to back problem. It was very painful that I couldn't even sit and sleep properly. Now I'm feeling a lot better but only to have a very bad combination of sorethroat and flu since yesterday. Oh well, that's life... but I'm getting better and starting to enjoy life again...

ACCTV - Australian Christian Channel Television

Australian Christian Channel Television (ACCTV) has been on air on foxtel for a few months now. I'm feeling fortunate to have been able to get foxtel, and now I'm getting a christian channel as well (even on basic plan).

I also found good things on ACC website, so I encourage you to visit the site. You can also watch ACCTV thru internet streaming.

Mobile Phone - Cell Phone - Hand Phone

Do you think mobile phone is creating more problems that outweight the benefits of having one? I'd like to hear what you say whether the answer is yes or no.

Nick Jr.

I've been watching tv shows like Hi-5, Balamory, Fetch the Vet, Blue's Clues, etc. on Nick Jr. (thru Foxtel) for a while now because my niece has been watching Nick Jr. as well. I'm getting drawn into the shows & beginning to know all the characters plus following the shows daily. Talking about facing scary situation...

Cars & Photography

I love cars... I love photography... Combine them into one thing and you'll get: taking pictures of cars. If I have nothing much to do on Saturday evening or Sunday, I'd be wandering around a car dealership (providing it's not a hot sunny day).

I did just that earlier this afternoon and snapped few pictures of Honda motor vehicles. I also got the chance of wandering around Hyundai & Mitsubishi dealership. I have a dream of opening a car dealership of my own, hopefully very soon.

Sy Rogers on Sex Abuse & Homosexuality

Homosexuality has always been a controversial topic. Some churches condemns homosexuality, which I believe is not the best way of handling the matter. Phil Baker of Riverview Church has a good friend, Sy Rogers, who specialised in sexual abuse and homosexuality.

Sy's background of sexual abuse and homosexuality has made him the best person in providing insight, acceptance and pastoral care or help without condemnation. I've attended Riverview's annual RISE conference (every October) for several years where I had the privillege of listening to Sy's insightful messages in 2002 and 2004. Sy lives in Florida, USA with his wife and daughter.

Internet Problem

Couldn't log on for the past few days due to an unknown internet problem, but everything is looking fine now. So, let's continue blogging...

Easter @ Riverview

Easter is coming up very soon and Riverview Church is having a drama based on The Passion of The Christ (outdoor!). On behalf of Riverview Church, I would like to invite you and your families to our multiple easter services.

The service will be held on Friday 25 March 05 - 9am, 11am, 3pm @ 1 Thorogood Street, Burswood - Western Australia.

See you there...

Permanent Visa

Haven't been blogging for the last few days due to tight schedule.

Thank God that I've been granted permanent resident visa (similar to green card in the US) after 1 year + 1 month of long process & waiting. I'm now officially an Australian resident (not citizen).

Today, 104 year old Chinese woman Cui Yu Hu has also been granted permission to stay in Australia after a claim that Australian immigration had intended to deport her back to China due to her unlawful stay for the past 5 years. [Read article]

She came to Australia to visit her adopted daughter in Melbourne on 12 month visitor's visa in 1995. However, no airline would take her back to China due to her old age. Cui Yu Hu doesn't have a home nor families in China since they're all dead.

I sincerely hope that Australian Immigration Minister Amanda Vanstone can make an exception of granting her permanent visa instead of just keeping her on bridging visa.

Kia Carnival

I love people mover because you can fit more stuff (and people) compared to sedan and better than 4WD in some respects. However, price is definitely an issue and fuel consumption will definitely suffer compared to sedan.

I love the price, size, design and looks of Kia Carnival (called Kia Sedona in the US). However, safety, durability, refinement and long-term ownership becomes an issue due to its cost-cutting production.

Other than Carnival, I love the new 2005 Honda Odyssey. The safety, looks, refinement and excellent resale value are the strong points. However, the size of the car and the seats layout is definitely not the best, especially with centre seat having only lap-sash seat belt. Baby seat will have to be fitted on seats close to the doors and no one should be allowed to sit on the centre due to safety concern.

Passion of the Christ fan?

An American man was convicted of stalking Mel. He claimed to have been sent by God to pray with Mel. How's that for a scary story. Read the article.

Guard Your Heart

Kelley Chisholm from Riverview Church preached a message on how to guard your heart a few weeks back. Personally, I've been tested on my patience specially for the past few days, and hot weather didn't help much. Example: how to stay calm when another car cut you off on a sunny hot 32C.

Believe me when I say it's not easy...

Chocolate Bunny

Easter is around the corner and supermarkets have put out many kind of chocolates (particularly egg and bunny chocolate). Anyone has any idea what to have on easter other than chocolates?

Walking

Walked for about 25-30 minutes to the nearest train station plus further 20 minutes after taking the train. The weather was a very sunny 32C. Can't wait for winter to come...

Cloudy & I'm Loving It

Perth's weather today was a bit humid with plenty of clouds in the sky plus brief shower. Love the clouds... All we need is plenty of rain to keep Perth wet and nice.

If you need Australia weather forecast, go to the weather channel website

Constantine

Just got back from the movie. Hoyts has AUD$5 movie deal for every Tuesday for this March only. If you intend to come on Tuesdays (particularly at night), prepare for long queues (ie. purchasing the ticket + drink + snack & going into the designated cinema).

I watched Constantine last night. Don't like the story 'cause I think it's very weird and not exciting. Well, you still can draw some lessons from it as long as you keep your mind open, which wasn't easy for me 'cause I was kind of sleepy.