Of Jews, Christian Shouters and Black Church

I just don't know what word to use by Christian shouters. u'll c later.

San Francisco. it's just awesome beyond my expectations. Expectations that were moulded by movies and tv shows, landing there is just altogether different.

So yeah, went there as a guided tour by some seniors who volunteered because he likes being a tour guide. At first, he thought taking us shopping is a good idea, but for us... we were there to SEE San Francisco, not a shopping mall in SF. so, together with another friend, we decided to break off and we kinda wandered around and landed in a Contemporary Jewish Museum, which was exhibiting Curious George and other Jewish stuff, which i found it really interesting.

For example, the Torah. I never knew that they had such strict guidelines in copying the Torah for Synagogue use. In order that the Torah is Kosher, the scribe cannot make a single mistake, every stroke, dot down to the intention of the heart must be perfect, but who can be that perfect but God, right? So, of course they have guidelines if the scribe makes a mistake or two, but they are complicated too.

Then there was this guy who compiled all the commandments in the Torah (first 5 books of Bible) and differentiated if they were commandment of abstinence or commandment of commission, applies to which gender, or if it's universal, or if it applies at all Times or a particular time only. THAT was even interesting. Sadly, I wasn't allowed to take photographs.

Anyway, so what are Christian shouters? Well, they are people on the street that carry boards and cards saying "Jesus Christ Loves YOU!" or screaming away like the world is gonna die soon and u gotta be save or giving away pamphlets and stuff like that. I really don't know how to label them, but i'll go with Christian shouters, because shouter is kinda like 'broadcasting' something a message, or commentary. so yeah. Funny thing is, you don't find boards or cards displaying the antithesis, or other religions. I'll have to find out why someday.

Then, I attended a black church. IT was very very interesting. I mean like you see those black church on TV like how they sing praises to God, that was how it is. I take it that this is how black people actually express themselves culturally, like in songs and the way they conduct celebrations, so it was perhaps something they identify themselves with. Their choruses were simple yet Truth-full like "because the Holy Spirit is in me, I'm all souled out".

I was kinda reflecting, if worship is a manner we praise God, and to praise God such that we express that which is in our hearts, the 'manner' we do it has to be malleable to our culture and our preference to express our deepest desire for God. So, the afros really love the way they are doing things right now, so they thoroughly express their love and desire for God (i mean, what on earth is 'souled out'?).

What is the Malaysian way (or whichever culture for that matter)? Sadly, I am too immersed in the Western or traditional baptist manner that I can't imagine what it would be like to worship God the Malaysian way (certainly coming late for service is not desirable, even though it's a culture, but a bad one). So I was thinking, certainly the biggest barrier to worshiping God is when tradition works more importantly rather than the idea that worship service is a vehicle for congregations to express their love, desire and praises to God together. Can't we have like worship songs with very chinese-themed tunes or styles that we identify with our culture?

yeah, so it got me thinking, but i think in malaysia it won't be easy, i mean to have a church service catered for a particular culture would only mean a congregation that are very broken up. i guess we have a lot of figuring out to do.

anyway, the pastor preached on Mark 10:35-45. I think this is the first time i ever heard any pastor preached on this passage. He based it on the interpretation by Martin Luther King Jr. I think it was an eye opener, I never saw that passage that way, but I think that's what Jesus meant to tell the disciples.

So basically, it's James and his brother John who want to be great and decided to do the backdoor way by hinting it to Jesus and hoping He would be able to grant it. but Jesus said "You don't even know what u're asking."
indeed, we ask for so much greatness, but all we think that being great is just all the pomp and glory. Indeed, is that 'greatness'?
So basically, we just don't know what kinda shit we're getting ourselves into, but we want all the grandness about it.
Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.”
indeed, position of greatness is not plainly given, but earned out of hardship, focus, endurance. It is a journey of service, just as Christ had came not to be served but to serve.

Our medal is not the nobel prize but pleasing God.

To me, that means, as I do research, it isn't the nobel prize I'm gunning at, but it is the virtue of the practice - discovery, problem solving, investigation, paradigms, etc. I conduct research in a manner that pleases God, I place my profession before God and be a good servant of it. I submit myself to be a living sacrifice that is Holy and pleasing to Him.

So, it was a fruitful experience for me.

Surreal

So, it's 2 full days since i landed in San Francisco... although the dream has now became a reality, it's still surreal, i occasionally still think 'this is too good to be true!'

I think definitely I must turn back to praise for every blessings He has poured out. and of course, not forgetting my parents who sacrificially provided the means for me to be sitting here writing this post more than halfway around the world.

So, had orientation on the 12 Jan, i think the other exchange/transfer students, they are really cool, from various places in the world. they are nice, friendly and all and yeah, you can say everyone mingles around much better compared to NUS where u get clusters of vietnamese, chinese, etc.

So, 1 thing that we were told about americans is that... they kinda greet you like how we intend to start a conversation back home, say "yo, what's up?" well, they really just mean "Hi." and if you respond with a long story instead, they'll be gone. So yeah, the germans called that superficial. maybe they might be right, i'll find out soon.

anw, walked around town and bumped into lotsa different ppl...homeless, hippies, and i won't describe the rest since some colours are somehow sensitive...ok, maybe i'll say it orang hitam dan putih. yeah, bahasa melayu can be that valuable here.

yeah, so they'll just be doing watever they want, kicking, hopping, 1 of them was just smoking bong yeah... to us it's like crazy ppl... but usually other ppl wudn't even bother them. so yeah, i din bother them, just walk pass and ignore them.

but i guess thats how it works here, they have their own culture formed by a set of worldviews, it seems that you kinda want to be sucked into it by some coercion, but little u realize that u can simply reject and choose for your own and they would respect that decision, but yeah, of course then i'll lose contact with them i guess.

which then begets the question of how do we influence them as ambassadors of Christ? It's a tough one, but i guess i'll take some time to figure it out. perhaps allowing them to choose that culture freely is better than trying to get them follow a set of values.

yeah, well, i gotta take some time to focus in getting my research project. the list is just awesome, except for 1 entry where the student is required to do all d menial lab jobs like washing up all d glassware (that's just so not research but cheap labor la). anw, find the list here:

http://research.berkeley.edu/urap/projects/openlist.lasso

so, gotta short list 3 projects... deadline's in a week's time.

A slice of Tiramisu

September 30 2010.
It was the day that threw me off the course.

The email attachment reads:
"University of California Education Abroad Program...
Host UC: UC Berkeley..."

I was on my way to one of the top universities (after Harvard, it has produced the most nobel prize winners) in the world for a semester.

It wasn't expected for I was under obligation to place UC San Diego as my top UC campus choice.

It is a new chapter, a short chapter, an unprecedented chapter, only because God has willed it. indeed, an enormous blessing for a small guy.

Hence, this blog was made for me to remember, to keep me accountable for this blessing that has been bestowed on me.

At the end of this stint, I hope all my blog postings would show that I have:
1. Made a meaningful impact in Berkeley, both in the academics and as an individual.

• Scored the best grades I can.
• at least 1 scientific publication (dreaming big again...)
• Get to know a professor or 2.
• Be involved in the society around me (Afros will be my main focus since i'll be lodging in Afro House).

2. Made the most of this opportunity given to me.

• lotsa fun!
• more friends!
• Unlock more opportunities!

So yeah, I need to stay focus and not waste this chance.

I hope you guys can bear witness to the goals I have set and encourage me along the way. I appreciate your advice and guidance, whenever I need them.

you might be wondering "Why Tiramisu?" Well, this 1/8 of my undergraduate life is like a slice of tiramisu, my favourite cake; gotta savour the Berkeley effect.