"We're all totally powerless"

says Anthony Hopkins, age 72, where he was guest on the show "Inside the Actor's Studio". He must have learnt something through his many years of acting to come to that conclusion. Why is it that in his acting profession, there is power or one would think one is powerful or people think one is powerful? In any profession, it certainly gives you that blurred reality.

What Anthony Hopkins (age 72) said during his second visit on "Inside the Actor's Studio" where his audience were budding actors:
enjoy the (acting) profession as it enfolds for you
think the best
enfold, let go, surrender, if you want it, it will happen
just surrender and let go of it
it has nothing to do with you
none of us have any power
we're all totally powerless
that's the great comfort

It's interesting how he kept repeating "we're totally powerless" during the interview and made a last point about it as the show ended.

I wonder if after he had worked for so long, he knew there was a perception of power which people think they have. In other professions, there is too. It could be more pronounced for those in professions where the product is $.

We're all totally powerless. Only God is powerful! He resurrected Jesus from the dead! Wow!

Scallop and Corn Chowder

is what you do when your mum gives you excess frozen scallops from CNY (chinese new year). Took recipe from Real Simple. Had all the ingredients except the cream which was first time buying. Feels like this is unhealthy, but hey, worth giving it a try, since I've never made chowder and thought all chowders are the same anyway. haha!

A pic of the final product. Taste-wise is ok, although my taste buds aren't really the chef type, so I'll need to do this again for someone who will be my guinea pig =P then I'll know if I can offer it to others to eat.

"I'm nearly home"

was Mark Ashton's last words. It shocked me to learn of his passing on 3 Apr 2010 at the end of an article he wrote. Read the article with lots of "Amen brother!" and to be hit with news of his passing at the end made my Amens stop and a sadness sinking in, yet a smile to the Lord for taking Mark home. Made me also want to be home too, as I think of a friend E who passed away in 2001, at the age of 33 years old. I saw her on Saturday night as we read the bible together, and she passed away the next day, Sunday. A common friend M said E must be having a good time now being with our Lord Jesus. I miss E! She challenged me, she annoyed me, she was scary sometimes, she had a humour only some could take, I miss E! Christians are all on their way home, I want to be home, and see E and Mark again, so it would be "see you", rather than "bye", only because Jesus will gather all of us together.

Hopes everyone will read Mark's article, it truly reminds of what reality is. And for those who aren't believers, to consider the hope which Jesus brings, Jesus who has resurrected and is alive and will return to set all things right here on earth!

Newspaper article here on Mark.

Punishing kids

the Asian way still needs to be thought through...some examples:

• Parent: If you don't eat your vegetables, I'll call the police
• Parent: If you don't take your medicine, I'll call the doctor/nurse to punish you
• Parent: If you insist on your way, I'll leave you here and go back on my own

Somehow, police/doctor/nurses all become really scary to small kids.

What is the main aim of punishment? To correct the kids, enforce discipline, train them in God's ways, isn't it?

Why is it that only Asians call on another authoritarian profession to help them in times of need? When they can't cope with the kid's behaviour? Taking medicine to make one better and the kid not liking the taste of the medicine seems to not be mentioned. And linking doctors/nurses as horrible people who make you take the horrible medicine is quite a put off.

Do Westerners do that too? I wonder.

And why is it all threats? Wouldn't that create insecurity in a child? I wonder.

Why not deprive a child of his/her favourite thing, and only when they behave, do we then reward them? And lavish all praise and hugs when they do behave and especially if they behave without being asked to, wouldn't that be a better enforcement? Alot to observe in a child.

Conclusion: Alot of trial and error bringing up kids, as we struggle with our own sin. Seeing also in ourselves what we pick up from our own parents or others around us, and seeing the struggles within ourselves as we try to nurture a small life amidst the chaos.