Got it
Just a quick one because I'm not on holiday.
I passed my full licence test today with flying colours- 96, 97, 96% for each part respectively :)
Now, if only my experiments would go as well...

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images 2
Not posted last night. nuts.

PLEASE READ PREVIOUS ENTRY FIRST

I know it's late- or early as the case may be, but just a real brainstorm from God. The images described below are images of my "own" strength, skill, power- from within me. Which is cool, and if I use them wisely to honour God, then it's all good.
but after listening to "carry me through" by the Lads, I was reminded of another image- one of me jumping- be it into the arms of someone, or off a cliff into the sky- and feeling safe and free. I guess this is the image of God's grace in my life, and the feeling of knowing the liberty that Christ brings- so now I'm going to stop straining myself over my life, and walk in his grace instead, and face what's bugging me head on.

good night

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Dribble

Not the stuff that comes out of the mouth, but like with a ball; around obstacles.
I often get that image in my head when I'm pondering stuff, and trying to work it out. Well that, some form of dragon-ball Z imagery, sword fighting and various other "victoriously overcoming" type images. Lots of sports and fantasy war stuff generally. (yes I am a GEEK!)

It can be quiet calming at times, and is even motivating on some levels. But it still means that everything's not quiet right.

I'm not depressed or anything...just dribbling.

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Oh, so that's why they have stairs

It snowed today. All day, on and off. Which was good, because it was a day that I needed to do work. I think it would be akin to spending a winter in a large northern city like London or New York- bleak and grey, but without the neon lights. I also found out that the microscope camera is going to be out of action for 3 weeks, so I had to use that today as well. So it was good that the girls pulled the plug on our combined life group. Pity though, it will put some pressure on us to get the
Oscar done, but it will be ok.

So, in the lab from 9-8, and walking home was an adventure. It was so quiet, it was deathly. Only the faint orange glow of the city, and the occasional car crunching the ice as they crawled. There were footprints going both ways along the footpath as I trudged home. The snow slipping from underneath my feet. Even the gutter was only narrow enough to only get 1 foot in it, so I must have looked pretty gimpy walking up Pitt St. It was so peaceful, but very hard. I quiet enjoyed exhaling deeply, and imagining that my breath would freeze for a split second, before drifting off like smoke into the atmosphere.

I made the decision to go up Constitution St because of the stairs, especially after seeing Matt P slide around the corner this morning. Now, I always thought that the stairs were so you didn't slip going down the hill, but to my joy they were also very useful in going up hill. I think going up Pitt St would have been very hard, but the steps made it pretty sweet. There's also that fantastic view of the city that you get as you reach the top. As I padded my way on the gentle incline past St Hilda's, there was only set of tracks going the opposite way from me. And you know, sometimes it's nice to be the first to do something, even if it's just tread on virgin snow going that way.

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That kinda deserves a line break from the rest of the blog. I'm not sure why I wrote it, but it was quiet cool 9pun not intended). I think as many people have said that this weekend was par excellence.

Friday night started with the Med Revue- full of bad med jokes and a lot of crudeness. But I thought it was quiet funny, ignoring some of the nastier bits- some interesting interpretations of spermatogenesis, and cardiac tamponade.
Saturday was spent helping set up the ball and also videotaping Alex's boyfriend Andreas (?) speak in German on Signal hill. It was a great view from up there. They also had a look around church before the ball, and were very impressed with what they saw.
The ball itself was very funky, and everyone looked amazing. It's cool seeing people all dressed up, and heaps more fun to dance the night away. I wore the Yukata, Toyoko (my Japanese host sister) gave me when she came over. It was actually really comfy. I also used the other half of that silver gel from convergence. For 10 minutes effort (literally) I thought it was pretty styly. I even walked into BP with it on to get some ice. I copped some friendly stick from the attendant, which was kind of the reaction I was going for i think. Kind of the traditional-meets-modern-day cum Dragon Ball Z look. "Jack's Legs" were awesome (yes you may quote me on that way out of context), and they played some awesome tunes. I knew that the worship team was awesome, and when you compared them to other covers bands, they were right up there. Also bumped into Brent's brother Martin, there- which was a surprise, but he seemed to have a good time.

Slept in on Sunday, cos I fell asleep in front of the rowing (which we won=) ), and nearly got hit by a taxi driving home. (That amount of tiredness is so not good for you. Ended up stuffing around for a bit and was running late for church, except for meeting Ros' parents and getting a lift. (they were such a God send). Soup Sunday at middle beach was nice, but very cold- that front moved in so fast. Still, we got an hour of touch in which was a good "guy-time". the introduction of kicking made it a bit different too. Then back to church for post-ball clean up, which I'm ashamed to say that we missed most of. Still, helped straighten the chairs, then got to do en-masse long-rope skipping at the front of church- such a random afternoon. Went shopping with Dave and Louise for food- 2 flats food in an hour and a half. Awesome!
Skipped Excel to have a quiet one, and an neat "boys prayer (tm)".

And that brings me to today. :)

Oh, and check this out Lego cars
Ha, the power just went out: 10:30
Power back on 11:30- only our flat in the complex =(

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Work at the computer, play at the computer...
I know I've mentioned it before, but man, I want to blog tonite, but computer all day, and computer all night, makes a very square-eyed, and even more panda like Bing.

As you probably have worked out, it SNOWED on Monday morning. We had been taking bets the night before about whether it would settle or not. My alarm went off at 7 on Monday, and I debated whether to ahve my quiet time, when "Thwump" interrupts my thoughts. Open the blinds, "thwump" and there's the girls giggling and laughing in... our backyard which was turned white!!!

jump out of bed, and into some clothes. Spent the next hour and a half slidding down banks, throwing snowballs, and doing other dumb stuff. I even thought to leave for work late. It was so totally worth it. Time seemed to slow down, which was cool. I'm not sure how often it is where you get to just hang out with people who you love to hang out with, and have a really awesome time. Ah, such a relaxing day :)

Went to the OUSA AGM today. Two big issues- my friend Shiva was proposing a PI rep on the Exec, which was passed : ) . And the OUSA was debating whether to i) support queer students on the right to same status relationships, and ii) whether to actively lobby the government on the CUB. Both failed to achieve majority. I abstained from the first, because I sympathise with both sides of the arguement, (although effectively it was a 'nay vote' under the 2/3s majority system), and was definitely nay for the active lobbying by the OUSA in support of the bill. Man, it was very political though. Religion, sexual orientation, and anything else could not be used as dividers- such a vote of conscience. As Hannah said, "Definitely don't envy Christian politicians on any of these issues.

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Blog from Bed!!!

Yes, ladies and gents, because it is snowing, and also because I can, I'm "blogging from bed". (In my worst strongbad impression of course.)

Well, where has the week gone? I was commenting to Dan about thinking it was still Soup Sunday, when in fact it was Friday Lunch time. We’ve got a visiting professor from Melbourne in our lab at the moment. He’s very cool- someone to aspire to be like I guess. He’s also very smart, and knowledgeable which is quiet useful. Sometimes I feel dumb in research, then I remember that no-one else has ever done this either, an generally people know the right questions to ask because they have a bit of experience there. Still I’d like to be more questioning of things in my research, which is what I’d like to work on.

The Friday prayer meeting was really cool. The posters Becs made were awesome- they must have taken ages. They were just right on the info content, not too heavy, not too light- and most importantly excellent prayer guides. It was cool to be able to spend some “quality time” dwelling on some of the issues, and most importantly get the focus off myself for a bit, and onto others and God.

I guess I’ll share the adventure I had on Friday night. I’ve been dwelling on it for a bit, and yeah, I’ll talk about it… as much for recording it as for news.
I got a text from a random # after the prayer meeting. On a Sam-dare I replied
“Who are u, and do u know Jesus”
I received a reply asking who’s wife I was sleeping with, and what was going on.
We texted back and forth, with this guy convinced I was this panel-beater called Rod in Hornby who was putting the moves on his wife. He was very convinced, calling me a “lier” and “poofer”. I told him that I was a med student in Dunedin, and had never slept with anybody, but my protestations fell on deaf ears. This guy also threatened to beat up ‘Rod’ (me), and warned that he had done some time in Pap(aroa prison).

I was rather stunned by this, but God was like walk in the authority that I’ve given you. Stand up. He’s obviously not taking you seriously, show him that you are telling the truth.
So I text back “Do u have any idea who I am? The Spirit of the sovereign Lord is upon me, to preach the good news to the poor. And it’s this: God loves you and has a plan for you. A plan to give you a hope and a future. Jesus has made a way to come back to God, and all you have to do is say sorry to God, and ask him to help you. Oh yeah, I’ve 4 years as a prisoner of Christ!”
(Over many texts)

WARNING: NEXT PARAGRAPH IS NASTY. SKIP IF YOU DON’T LIKE VIOLENCE. I WANT TO KEEP IT AS A REMBERANCE.



the reply was: “I’m ready 2 come ova and grab ur holy arse and shove a rusty holden pipe all da way up an say a pray 4 u as ur arse bleeds and as flies lay maggots on ur dic”


ALL GOOD NOW
Which was a pretty psycho reply, but I guess it was expected. So I kept going, and told him more about God, and even if he did that God would still love him and that it would not be a good idea to do that to “Rod” because he’d have no idea why this violence was being done to him. I didn’t get a reply to that one.

In review, I guess I did bait him a bit. But you know what it did help. I spent a bit of time praying for him and his situation. It sounded really rough, I guess it was pretty easy for him to believe that he was right in his anger. He did text back on Saturday and apologized to me though. He accepted he did get the wrong number, and we made up. I wished him the best in his troubles. I do hope it turns out ok, it would suck to have someone hit on your wife. In saying that it’s not necessarily right to swear at someone either. And I’m not sure I was right in using the Gospel in such an offensive (war-like) way. But I did, and I’ll stand by it.

I don’t want this to be a “yeah, I’m so great story” because I think that it shows some of my immaturity in baiting this guy. But it does show that sometimes you have to stand up for what’s right and what’s true. And I guess I’m kinda proud I did that. Please pray for him that it will all turn out good. His name is Glen. I hope he finds peace in this, and that he can begin to see how easily mis-directed anger can be. Also pray for this guy Rod, because he sounds like he needs help too.

Friday night was also characterized by Jess, Stacey, Scott and myself going to “Toast” to hear some jazz. It was pretty cool, but I think Jess and I dominated the conversation a bit much, which was a bit suck, and did put a damper on a pretty good night otherwise.

Saturday, I was physically knackered, and didn’t really do much- only half my school of leaders assignment. (That sounds like such a pious statement, and it’s so not meant to be… I should have taken me 3 hours max, and it took 6 procrastinated filled ones. Only really got active when sitting in front of Star wars and realized that this could actually be my future of Saturday nights unless I got my act together. Sometimes it’s so easy to feel sorry for myself. I’m glad Gus got to go play pool, at least for a bit. And didn’t we do well in the rowing.

Church this morning was a lot better. Very cool sermon, and the Holy Spirit made me say something in Church during worship. Which is pretty cool for me, seeing I’ve generally refused in the past. But I was reading in 2(?)Peter somewhere about using gifts of prophecy (mine says oracle) to benefit the church, and the HS reminded me of that as I struggled in my boots. Also it was cool to see Des back in church J

Went out to Steve and Indra’s for a guys session and learnt some cool stuff: they are so wise!!!
1) A lot of people with depression don’t give (time, money etc). Apparently this can lead to a large amount of self-focus and also introversion- which only makes the depression worse. If people give out they find that their problems start to disappear.

2) Phil 4:8-9 Good way to do positive thinking. Take one from the list each day and meditate on it

3) 1Jn 4:4- greater is He who is in me, than in the world. Ok didn’t really learn this, but it was cool none the less to see Jared, Reuben and Andrew take it up. Also Rejoice in the Lord. I say Rejoice (Phil 4 something)

Oh, and we had STEAK!!! Yum.

Well, it’s still snowing and I better get up tomorrow so I can get to work. Mel I hope this is up to the high standards that you demand =P.

Bless you guys and be encouraged.

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Strikes a cord
I receive these daily devotionals: this one struck a bit of a memory of why I became a Christian in the first place

Being Called by the God of Glory
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Bible Verses ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Rom 4:1 What then shall we say that Abraham our forefather
according to the flesh has found?
Acts 7:2 ...The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham
while he was in Mesopotamia...
2 Cor 4:4 In whom the god of this age has blinded the
thoughts of the unbelievers that the illumination of the
gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, might
not shine on them.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Words of Ministry ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Romans 1 was written according to the history of the human
fall [in the book of Genesis]: disapproving of holding God,
exchanging God for idols, falling into fornication, and
producing every kind of wickedness. The created race gave up
God, and God gave up the created race. However, God called
out of this race one man with his wife. God called Abraham by
appearing to him as the God of glory. God did not call him by
mere words: He called him by His glory. Abraham saw the glory
of God and was attracted.

Our experience is the same. In a sense, we also have seen the
glory of God. When we heard the gospel and it penetrated us,
we saw the glory of God. Did you not see the glory of God at
the time you were saved? I saw it when I was an ambitious
young man. I had no intention of receiving God, but as the
gospel penetrated me I could not help saying, “God, I want
You.” I could not deny that the glory of God had appeared to
me. Such an experience is indefinable. No human words can
adequately describe what we saw when the gospel penetrated
our being. We can only say that the God of glory appeared to
us, attracting us and calling us. We, like Abraham, were
called by the God of glory.

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Hey, that is kinda cool (an interesting expansion on a comment)

Hmm, just reading Abbey's blog (which incidently you should all read and comment on : P), and I started to get that "Omigosh (the shock, not the Pagan god from Paganitzu), I'm leaving next year too" feeling, and started to feel kinda sad, and yuk. Then it suddenly struck me-
is my life better for being here: In explicably YES
Have I made a difference: YES!
Is this place better off for me being here: YES!
Will I succeed at where I'm going to: YES, a lot of which will be because of what's been given to me here, and what I've given back.

It is actually really a really comforting thought that I've able to be significant in some people's lives during my time here, and they have been significant in mine. Ok, so I haven't saved the world or cured cancer but you know I think I've only just realised that I haven't made it worse either.
So, it's been done once, it can be done again, but improved.

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I am the Panda [goo goo g'joob]- a blog in three parts
6/8
What is it with me and late night blogging. Is it because I don't like sleep- my parents will testify to that. Is it that I need to unwind? Possible. I dunno, but it's quarter to three on Saturday morning- that glass of Coke may have done it, and I feel really good. I also want to change the google ads on the top of my screen I can see why Rodney upgraded to Haloscan premium or what ever. I'm not particularly keen on having google pick topical ads from the words typed in this blog. It kinda makes you feel like your words are turning against you. Turning against you and selling out to the marketing campaigners who feel I need to know about places to stay in Vermont or articles to civil unions.

So lets try, fencing, fencing, fencing, fencing, fencing, fencing, fencing, fencing, fencing, fencing, fencing, fencing, fencing, fencing, fencing, fencing, fencing, fencing, fencing, fencing, fencing, fencing, fencing, fencing, fencing, fencing, fencing, fencing, fencing, fencing, fencing, fencing, fencing, fencing, fencing, fencing, fencing, fencing, fencing, fencing, fencing, fencing, fencing, fencing, fencing, fencing, fencing, fencing, fencing fencing, fencing, fencing, fencing, fencing, fencing, fencing, fencing, fencing, fencing, fencing, fencing, fencing, fencing, fencing, fencing, fencing, fencing, fencing, fencing and see what the google ad says.

Or alternatively, badger... no, lets not go there.

Well I have been working, immunohistochemistry- using specific antibodies to stain tissue to detect protein expression. Which is really cool, and uses lots of cool reds, browns, and blues. It has also taught me a lot about using a microscope. Shame it has yet to really work. But I think we've ironed out the problem. Fingers crossed.

This involves timed incubations, so I haven't been able to get to prayer as much as I've wanted. Which has had it's benefits- ie going to town, own quiet time and its downfalls- hello out there. It's also given me time to think. This weeks big challenge has been quiet easily money. not so much what to do with it, or where to get it from, but it as a limiting factor. And why I view it so. Money provides security, and it allows a lot of freedom. With it I can do a lot of things. But I need to handle it properly. Which is what I've been challenged about this week, and what I'll start doing tomorrow afternoon, while I stain another slide. I think that I need to learn how to use money a bit smarter, because otherwise I end up with a whole lot of stuff, and not a lot for it. In saying that I do have a lot of stuff, and am very satisfied with it. I just brought Norton Antivirus and Office 2003 for Mac. I'm pleased I got office 2003. Open Office is good, but lacks the design of microsoft products, and the lack of tweaking around that needs to be done. Ok, so it cost me $300 in total, but I think that it will be worth it. Microsoft-to-Microsoft is a much easier transition. And familiarity and availability is good too. I would be a lot better off financially if I just got a burnt copy, but I try not to so that because I see it as stealing. And that's not good. In anyone’s books- well perhaps a thief's, but as a general rule, and especially God's.

Prolonged sleep break.
7/8 6:33pm Wellcome Building: The LAB!
Came in this afternoon to try the latest experiment. It’s nearly done, and I’ve brought my ibook to kill sometime. I only wanted to experiment today, not really do any reading or writing for my thesis. I came in at 1, so been in a while. I hate how this assay takes about 6 hours to do. It does build patience though, and I have been able to do my accounts. I’m quiet keen to learn how “quicken” (money management prgogramme) can be used, because it looks like it could be really useful. In saying that it would be better with an income. But it doesn’t say that I can’t learn how to manage money better with (much) smaller amounts.

Boy-bash was very cool. We went bowling- took up five lanes (25 of us!!!) and we had a great time. Lots of friendly rivalry, high-fives and other such laddish behaviour. It was also quiet relaxed, although there were a couple of foolish bets made. Top bowlers seemed to come from St Margs, and Dan Joe with 141. I invited Andrew along, and he did pretty well, with a score of 54, which isn’t bad seeing he hadn’t ever been shown how to bowl, and hadn’t actually been since he was 10! Also of note Dan H is the king of our life group with 121 odd in the first game. I got some middling scores (67 and 71 respectively) and now my hand really hurts.

Saturday Night Break
8/8
Right, I shall finish before Soup Sunday. Passed on the rugby last night- was quiet tired after the lab. Curled up with a book and went to bed. Read 300 pages and then realized that it was 1:30- oops.
Still, made it to School of Leaders and Church this morning. Vision, evangelism, and money again. All really good stuff. Also more inspired to learn about personal accounting- which is fortunate, because Mike in my Life Group is an ace accounting student. Ok, done now.

Oh, and major lesson for the week: Do something nice for someone, you won’t regret it.
: )

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Another midnight post

akaThe top 10 9 reason's why I'm not in a serious relationship right now

I thought of some of these as I was walking up the hill today, I'm not sure whether their meant to be sad, funny...or both.

1) God's plan- I don't think it's meant to be now
2) Value- it's not really high on the 'wish list' anyway
3) Committment issues- ie I can't meet any of my current committments as well as I'd like. I haven't been home before 6 since monday, and the weekend's not looking much better.
4) Work- no one said they regretted not going to work enough, but I do enjoy making progress on my Thesis.
5) Location- only 5 more months in Dunedin, unless I meet someone who's going to the North Island next year, or alternatively I really like, I'm not sure starting a serious relationship now would be wise
6) I don't know what I want. Major criticism from a lot of my female friends about their ex's. Perhaps its wise to take advantage of this advice. I’d like to be more confident about my decisions.
7) I’m just loving doing what I’m doing at the moment. Sure I’d like to meet someone, and I think I am looking for fewer but deeper relationships. But life is good at the moment and yeah, I feel satisfied at the moment.
8) Next year, Wellington...
9) I really don’t know what I want
10) Relationships are probably too difficult at the moment

Well, what can I say? That was Friday. Along with “super-size me” about a guy who eats nothing but Macca’s for a month- gained 25lbs and seriously got addicted and got very, very sick. Hmmm, Macca’s though. And the amount of product placement in there was unbelievable.

Saturday: Flippin heck it was busy! Sacrificed-a-Saturday with Dave and Justin. Ended up going to a family who lived out in Mornington. They lived in a flat about half the size in ours and had really normal family problems, like bills, bills and more bills. They actually made me feel really rich, You know, having an ibook, my own stereo, car, bed, tv etc. It was really scary, and made me feel quiet appreciative of my life. Freedom, “relaxation”, and the chance to make a life for myself. And of course, the lack of chores- I mean really. Was going to go down to the lab, but procastinated/invested in the sun, with Matt P and his mate Mars and a soccer ball.

After ripping up the field at St Hilda’s, I went down to the lab, and sat at the microscope for two hours. Argggh. I really need practice in that. Ok, so I’m getting better, but it still takes soooo long to interpret. I feel so dumb when doing it. Except for the fact that it’s a skill that you never know when it will come in handy. Or you know, look good on a CV. It’s also nice to think that I’m learning how to take a heap of info and focus it into a few questions for getting data. It’s still tiring to look down a scope for a while (like 3 hours) though.

Then went home to a flat full of Miisions meetings and Louise waiting for her party to start. Still good times with Tim, Carmi, Lou and Sean. Louise and Mel’s party was cool- probably been written about heaps already. Amazingly all rapped by 11.15- what a party.

Sunday: (bloody) Sunday. (cos the songs cool.)
School of leaders was good. Bit of a challenge with Personal growth, and Intercession. Two big topics which I want to get into more. Pastor Mike’s sermon on resources was really good too.

One thing I really needed this weekend, was a break. Which was why I prayed for a break, especially over my busiest weekend in a while. So hmm, sacrifice a Saturday was sacrifice half a saturday, soup sunday was mysteriously postponed, and quiet times were surprisingly refreshing.

Church on Sunday night was fantastic. It was very... refreshing. For many reasons. Many indeed. : )

Pretty random huh. I'm sure there's more, but I'm tired.

The world can fall around you and you can only get back up.

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