Keenan Maximillian Tan Too Hock

maxowar @ 2009-11-07T22:02:00

2009-11-07T14:08:33Z

But I know so many less lucky then I

Please help Your people, the poor and down trod

I thought we all were the children of God

maxowar @ 2009-09-21T23:34:00

2009-09-21T15:37:12Z

A pie chart of my usage of the internet! Mel showed me this on someone else's blog, it was hilarious so I thought I would borrow it.

Tweeting

2009-09-12T16:10:59Z

Hmmm...learning to twit more. I guess it is because it is so much easier than typing out a very long post. Short and tweet...lol

In Camp

2009-08-16T16:18:59Z

Sheesh! This in-camp is killing me. Wake up early, go home late, each day earlier and later! And why...just to do nothing. I mean if our time was used adequately I would be fine but it is really not very useful.

Yeah! Well, back to army tmr!

Change of HP No!

2009-08-08T16:41:06Z

Hey all, my new HP no. is 96280511. so please adjust your phones.

98569909 will be going to my brother.

Thanks!

maxowar @ 2009-08-05T01:04:00

2009-08-04T17:02:17Z

With the CSS 60th Anniversary coming up! I thought I would post up some videos of CSS :)

56th Exco Item for FOC2005

CSS Montage

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

A happy day

2009-08-01T16:21:13Z

A happy day

maxowar @ 2009-07-29T13:22:00

2009-07-29T05:22:44Z

Here is my favorite exhibit of the whole Bible Exhibition :) Very well done by Vincent Mercado!!

Paul the Musical people will appreciate some of the things inside. I found it hilarious! I think because it was just so real and so true. It took scripture and facebook elements and put them together. I love these kind of "jokes" because they are very well-thought and "real"

100 Words

2009-07-27T16:49:52Z

I just ended THE busiest week in my entire time working in St. Mary's. Logos planned a bible seminar and exhibition and it was a big event. The planning team really put in a lot of effort and they stayed back till 2am like almost every night for the whole week to make sure everything is complete and ready...especially Ben who did a fantastic job for the exhibition.

The time was so blessed by God. Everything really came together because of him and I think he used the seminar to touch lives and to open many hearts to his Word.

During his talk, Thomas, our speaker, said that we must be ready to share our faith with anyone God sends in our way. We should have our 100 words on why we are Catholic ready. Here is my 100 words:

I am Catholic because here I meet a God who loves me, who was willing to die for me, who gives me himself every Sunday, a God who gives me faith and grace to rise above and go beyond myself, to be a gift to others. This is the God who is with the Church and continues to guide it in truth and beauty so that through it everyone can really come to him. It is because of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, that I have joy and peace in my heart to face the challenges of the world.

The weekend was good and would do it again!

Thank you, God, for the gift of Thomas Smith and for the chance to hear you through his sharings and talks.

God Bless!!

New Computer

2009-05-22T16:13:51Z

I am going to get a new computer! i7 CPU, 4gb ram, 1gb video ram, 1tb of space! $2000 about there. Ouch!

Star Trek vs Wolverine

2009-05-13T00:45:39Z

Come on! Can there be any competition?

Without a doubt Star Trek is better! Something about Wolverine disappointed me...actually I know what it is. For such a "high" anticipated show, the quality was really lacking. There were very obvious continuity errors and effects mistakes which would not be characteristic of a movie of that kind of budget. I don't know how much Wolverine was but it should not have been a cheap movie.

Star Trek on the other hand was fantastic. YOU DO NOT NEED TO KNOW STAR TREK TO WATCH THE FILM! It is a sci-fi action film, if you are thinking of watching shows like Terminator and Transformers then this is a show you should watch. Actually, I would even put Wolverine on the lines of sci-fi and fantasy...I do not think it is drama. The plot is fresh, does not carry all the "trekkie" stuff, so people will be able to pick up. Neither does it leave behind the heritage that was built like Transformers. It is a really action=packed and character building film...but like most feedback, I agree that other than Spock and Kirk we do not get to see much of the other cast. Maybe their stories will be told in the sequels.

Anyway, watch Star Trek!

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0796366/
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0458525/

God Bless!!

Cats!

2009-05-05T17:06:39Z

It was a good show. I guess I am a story person and since cats doesn't have much in the way of story, I wasn't as appreciative.

Dances were good :) someday I am sure CoF will be like that! Haha...high hopes.

Fr. JP was talking about how in Sydney they really made the whole theatre realistic to resemble the trash can. Comparing to how he described it, Esplanade was rather plain.

Now waiting for Les Mis and Joseph! Quickly come!

Hot Hot!

2009-05-04T13:19:51Z

Singapore is so hot! Haha...I have adapted back and quickly too.

When I reached home on the 30th, my face was flushed red and that was because it was just so hot and humid...haha..can really tell the difference from Australia.

But now back to normal. I am happy for the heat though, more of a hot person than a cold person. Prefer to sweat than to "freeze".

God Bless!!

60s Band

2009-04-25T09:37:34Z

At my aunt's 60th birthday dinner, she got a band called "The Sixties Chart Toppers" basically they played 60s hits and they were damn good! I am impressed and that is the level of standard that I hope to achieve someday. Must keep practising my guitar. I am very impressed by Chris and Dom when they played at B&J's. I thought that is a good way just to use the talent they had in music.

Interestingly enough, there was a little singalong session on Thurs that happened in my aunt's place. Got one of the boys to play a guitar and when he took the guitar, he played the song Chris and Dom always play...what is it called, the one by Jason M'raz. Anyway, Andrea and I looked at each other and we burst out laughing and waited for "Come Together" haha.

God Bless!

maxowar @ 2009-04-22T19:56:00

2009-04-22T12:01:40Z

Relaxing on holiday! But don't know why somethings get so confusing at home. And even when I have made a point and still people get confused.

Arghh..! Am I confusing?

Ideas

2009-04-17T12:57:39Z

My thumbdrive did not transfer all my work! Sheesh and the best part is my missing files are the ones that I need to do my work in Aussieland!

Means now I have to work with online sources more than with my own files which had all my work already. Hope I don't duplicate work...frustrating!

Today went shopping. I thought more about my boardgames restaurant/cafe idea. Another one of my ideas which I would like to do but which may just stay as an idea. Have to many ideas but no real power to follow through. Like my writing book idea! Had a rough storyline and characters but didn't actually sit down to write it.

Procrastination or just don't have the ability? I hope that I can really do these things, would be cool.

God Bless!!

Holiday Day 1

2009-04-16T10:40:06Z

Am now at my uncle's computer!

First day of holiday and it was a packed day! 6 hours of flying, 3 hours of waiting and checking into the apartment, 4 hours at the church for the rehearsal, now having a meatful BBQ!

My cousin has a very nice thing in his wedding that I have not heard before in other weddings. It goes like this: "With this ring, I thee wed. With this gold, I thee give. With this body, I thee worship and with all my worldly goods, I thee give. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." I thought that these were really nice words. The girl says them too but just without the worldly goods part.

It is a total giving of self and these words communicate it. You give her your spirit, your possessions, your body, your life. What do you keep from her? Nothing. You live for her and God.

I especially was impressed by the part, "with this body, I thee worship." It rang with the theme of Theology of the Body and these rites must have been around centuries before JP2 so it just goes to show how the church really saw the holiness of the body.

If I ever get married, if God wills it. I would want these to be in the mass.

God Bless!!

Book of Love by Peter Gabriel

The book of love is long and boring
No one can lift the damn thing
It's full of charts and facts and figures and instructions for dancing

But I,
I love it when you read to me
And you
You can read me anything

The book of love has music in it
In fact that's where music comes from
Some of it is just transcendental
Some of it is just really dumb

But I
I love it when you sing to me
And you
You can sing me anything

The book of love is long and boring
And written very long ago
It's full of flowers and heart-shaped boxes
And things we're all too young to know

But I
I love it when you give me things
And you
You ought to give me wedding rings

And I
I love it when you give me things
And you
You ought to give me wedding rings

And I
I love it when you give me things
And you
You ought to give me wedding rings
You ought to give me wedding rings

O Levels

2008-01-24T09:16:03Z

Dear Blog,

Today the O Level results came out! It was 10 years ago for me and I don't remember much of what happened. Sheesh...I am getting old.

Anyway, I am delight to have heard so many of my youth did well. Most should be able to get into the JCs that they want to. Praise be to God!

Went to visit Nick yesterday night, good to see him recovering. Nothing permanently damaged and that is worth a thanksgiving mass for. We talked about all the things that happen and how God can draw the good out of the things that have happened. He showed me his scar, yikes...with staples and all. Looks like he will have a story to tell in the future.

St. Mary's is looking up :) Things are really picking up speed and slowly but surely we are heading somewhere with God. I pray that God keeps guiding and keeps us close.

God Bless!!

Keenan

Perth

2007-11-15T12:17:48Z

Dear Blog,

Now in my sister's place in Perth! On holiday...finally a getaway from all the church work, not that I disliked it but I think I need to look at direction and reflect in this week to see how I can take things further.

So far, we spent the whole day shopping at Westfield Carousel...basically a huge shopping centre. Bought a few stuff for home. I am currently stocking up my room with food and drinks for the next gather for a boardgame night. When will that be? Soon I hope. Justin, quick plan!

Tomorrow we will be going to Swan Valley, this wine producing area...hahaha...to do what but to drink wine and eat. I think I will look out for a good bottle of red wine for my room. A light and easy holiday, I don't want to push myself to do things just take everything slow and easy. I don't think I even want to go and see all the sights...just eat and sleep, and read. Catch up with all my work and all of that.

Feeling nice and happy now, we had just some mee to eat and waiting for our chicken to finish cooking. Happy because things are relaxing, the temperature in the night is a comfortable 20+ natural aircon temperatures. I think I will go and sleep early again today...cools!

On my trip here, I talked to an old man beside me on his way home back to Perth. He said sometimes holidays are ways just to miss home and make us appreciate them more. I agree with him, a holiday makes you think sometimes homes are the best places to be. Find ourselves a place we can identify as home and settle our roots, etc. Well, I haven't reach that stage yet here but will towards the end. For now, I am enjoying my time, contented.

See you! God Bless!!

Keenan

Boardgames

2007-10-11T04:41:30Z

Dear Blog,

Jon and Justin came over last night.

We chatted and caught up with each other and how everything was in our lives. It is good to see everyone going somewhere.

We were suppose to shisha but decided not to do it in the end. In the end, we played boardgames. I had recently bought "Vatican". It is this game about trying to become Pope. Basically, 6 players, all are Cardinals, try to make their way to become pope. Hahaha...you can look at it more as an educational game. It guides the player through the processes that a person becomes pope. But it was made by a secular company, so at the end of the day the game left out the more spiritual aspect of the election but emphasized on the more physical aspects such as popularity, position on issues and support.

I thought that part was interesting because the game depicted stands of the church and the world and how sometimes they agree and disagree. Since the game was secular, it did not take into account the more dogmatic part of the church. It depicted certain unchangeable things like they were changeable, e.g. women priests issue.

I think it would have been fun to play it with people who like a discussion. Could use it as a teaching tool for the kids in St. Mary's.

Anyway, we had fun. It was filled with laughter. We will be doing it again soon.

God Bless!!

Keenan

Kota Kinabalu

2007-10-06T18:25:59Z

Dear Blog,

Back from KK for over a week.

Climbing Mount Kinabalu was a feat! Why did I do such a thing? Well, I trying to challenge myself to achieve something. It was fun to think about conquering a mountain. So I took on Jun Jun's proposal to go to KK.

While climbing the Mount, I was dreading it. I am not used to cold so I put on all my winter and warm clothes that I brought. But I was amazed by the others who were climbing. They did not seem to have any problems with the cold and they raced up the mountain. Anyway, it took me 7 hours to climb, a normal person will do it in 5. I am so unfit and fat! Keep training, I will achieve my sixpack someday! Hahaha...

We did not get to the summit because it was very bad weather. It was raining and literally the going horizontal. So we were warned not to go. We were really unlucky with our trip because the day before and after we climbed were nice and quiet. No rain or anything like that. Well, mean that I have to come back again.

On the last day, we went to the hot springs. It was a very nice! Sad that Singapore doesn't have any spring. But I consider that it wasn't too different from a hot shower.

It was a good holiday, may not be a sit by the beach and sleep kind but it is a still a good one.

God Bless!!

Star Trek: The Next Generation

2007-09-12T11:24:22Z

Dear Blog,

I am now watching Season 3 of Star Trek: TNG. Haha...Woohoo! So now the only Star Trek series I do not have is Enterprise and Voyager.

Voyager is S$900, so that is rather prohibitive. I have to keep waiting for the price to drop on Amazon. Enterprise DVDs are new so costly still.

But now, I spend my freetime watching Star Trek.

God Bless!!

Keenan

Study Hard So As To Find God

2007-08-25T13:42:38Z

Dear Theophilus,

Here is something I wrote for St. Mary's.

The same time of the year has come again when everyone is up in a frenzy. The exams are times when the whole of Singapore seems to have less time and caught up in a world of their own. This is not only for students but parents as well.

It is in this time that youth ministry experiences a dip in attendance. Students are taking time off to study, parents are making students take time off to study. And this is all good. Studies are the vocation of a youth and it is important that he puts his effort into studying hard and excelling in the work that God has given to him.

We often like to see studies as something that is not part of God’s creation. Many times in parish youth ministry, parents look at youth ministry as something that takes time away from studies, fills up their time with other matters. If we are looking to studies as being just subjects like maths, science, languages, sure…youth ministry doesn’t actually fit in. But if you are going to look at studies being as personal development, learning skills like time management, stress relief, learning other arts like dance, drama, music, journalism, professional skills. Then youth ministry is filled with it.

Youth ministry supports studies because it helps to train and form youth. I personally would have never been able to get through my time in JC if I was not given the skills of discipline and community in the Legion of Mary. There I found friends who would study with me, help me with questions I did not know (and also help them when they did not know), but also regular prayer taught me to give regular time to study and calmed me down to take in all that I needed to know through my studies.

God is present in our studies and we need to rely on him when we study. We are taught that everything is created by God and he say that “it was good”. Studying is a good thing that God placed in our lives for him but now it has been approached with fear or disillusionment. How many students do we know study because they truly want to learn? Most students approach studies because their parents make them study or they either want to make money for a leisurely future.
But God made study to train the mind to think to explore the mysteries of the world that he has created and ultimately to search the world for him. God wants us to study because it develops the mind to a point where our reason will find him. Faith and reason comes together. True, faith is beyond reason but reason is not separate from faith.

But with so many of our students, losing interest in studies or studying for a goal which is self serving. We end up with a lot of children who have lost meaning in their lives and who live without purpose. That is where youth ministry comes in. We help youth to find their purpose in studies and life which is to find God, to love him and to be loved by him. The church helps to give that which the world cannot give.

It saddens me sometimes when you stop all their activities in church just because of studies. I have known students who stop coming to mass just because the exams are near. Because this is a clear signal of the lack of understanding of what studying is about and even deeper a lack of the promises in Jesus. Jesus, in Matt 19:29, tells the apostles if they leave anything in Jesus’ name, they will receive a hundred times over. In someway, Jesus calls us to give our time to him and that he will give us back our “time”. I have found that no matter how involved I was in church, I could always study and do well.

But the deeper calling to that is Jesus calling us to let the Word of God take root in our hearts. Jesus wants us to be good soil so that we might produce a hundred fold (Matt 13:8). The call to give time to Jesus is not one where we are expecting returns (i.e. “I give God 2 hours, he must give me and A for maths”). No, but one in which we really place our faith in God’s plan. We come to trust in him and to give him that two hours because we want to spend time with him. We invite God into our studies because only with him, it truly becomes something worth doing and succeeding in.

We here at the Youth and Young Adults Office will be praying for each one of you going through exams in this period. The parish is open during the night for silent study and consultation if you need any assistance. The bulletin has more details.

God Bless!!

Keenan

Rush Hour 3

2007-08-23T15:24:52Z

Dear Critic,

Don't watch Rush Hour 3!!!! This is a typical example of trying to cash in on the sequels.

My ratings:
Plot/Story - 0 out of 5
Cinematography - 2.5 out of 5
Acting - 1.5 out of 5

There was no story, absolutely no plot whatsoever. The story had more holes than a sponge, there were so many loopholes about that you did not understand the story. They threw in characters when they needed to with no rhyme or reason so basically you had a lot of characters which were not developed.

Cinematography was not bad but not fantastic. What you would expect from a hollywood movie.

Acting was just horrible. This is aggravated that the characters are just so two-dimensional and uninteresting, the acting came out stereotypical and boring. I could do better!

Bottomline: Don't watch Rush Hour 3!

God Bless!!

Keenan

Time vs Money

2007-08-22T14:12:05Z

Dear Blog,

Weight the cost of each commodity, I would always place time above money. Hahaha...no wonder I spend so much money taking cab.

I think that time is much more precious than money and would spend it just to make things easier. Have been reflecting on money and its uses for a bit now because I am thinking of writing something about funding and how funds should be used and kept in ministry. Still haven't written anything yet but the bible has been a great help.

Let's say you had a book which is about 60 pages long and it costs $20. Would you go and photocopy it and then bind it just to save money? (Not to mention break copyrights but that is a different story) I would just go and buy it. But I guess there are many factors to that, how much it means to you, its value and significance.

Sometimes I wonder if people who photocopy textbooks is someway don't value their education as much? Just a thought, not judging anyone. But if I am not willing to pay for something doesn't it show that I do not value it. Yeah...money money...hmmm...

Return to Caesar what belongs to him.

God Bless!!

Keenan