Scoring A+ in SMU

Watching this video recently got me laughing because it reminded me of the exchange program I spent there. The video is one year old I know, so ya, I'm a bit slow.

But perhaps this can be a guidebook for incoming 2010 freshmen!

Letting Go

Heavenly Father, Eternal King;

thank you for ending Mom's suffering

She fought so hard, as she held your hand

forgive our anger, at your peaceful plan;

A faithful disciple that has won the war;

whom we loved so much, but you loved her more

Caring mother, loving wife;

Her memories will spark new hope for life

I promise to be better with each new day;

and follow your footsteps in God's way

Into your hands, and to where art thou

Father I commit dear mommy now


Written and composed by my brother Gabriel Low on 29 January 2010
Dedicated to our mother Priscilla Ong who passed away peacefully on 27 January 2010

Read and Grow Rich

One day two boys were out walking in the woods when they looked up to see a huge grizzly bear charging in their direction.

The boys took off running as fast as they could. Suddenly, one of the boys stopped, pulled his tennis shoes out of his backpack, and started lacing them up as fast as he could.

"What are you doing!!!" screamed his friend. "Those tennis shoes won't help you outrun a bear!"

"I don't need to outrun the bear," the other boy shouted as he sprinted away in his tennis shoes. "I only need to outrun you!"

This was one of the many interesting stories author Burke Hedges shared in his book Read and Grow Rich. The charging grizzly is analogous to the increasing competition in this information age, and the tennis shoes are the "slight edge" that reading gives you. A small but crucial advantage that spells the difference between survival and disaster. The boy with tennis shoes will not only survive in the information age, he will thrive because he has prepared himself for the challenges ahead. The boy without the tennis shoes will become a victim of the hard-charging information age.

I happened to pick up this book at the library on Wed and it only took me one day to finish reading it. What's more, I read majority of it on my commute to and from school. With an adjusted title from Napoleon Hill's Think and Grow Rich, Read and Grow Rich is about how the power of reading can enrich a person's life in more than one area.

It is a short, easy to read book that I would recommend to those of you who haven't read in ages. And if you can't get your hands on the book, at least spend 15 minutes of reading a day.

The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who can't read - Mark Twain.

Keeping in touch with old friends

The friendships you make in primary and secondary school are the ones that usually last the longest. Partly its because you spend the most amount of time in primary and secondary school (10 years combined) as comapred to poly, JC or army. The fact that the friendships were formed during your formative years makes it even special.

I had a recent opportunity of attending a secondary school (Maris Stella) gathering in Senki Japanese Restaurant at Killiney Rd. The total turnout of 20 people is considered remarkable. Everything was organised and coordinated online. The wonders of facebook and social media.

When I first received the facebook invite for the event, I was a little apprehensive about attending. But I made up my mind to attend it anyway. I don't like sitting on the fence and clicking "Maybe attending". I believe that attending such events is a personal choice. Either you want to or you don't. Even if you change your mind halfway, nobody is gonna persecute you. I find it surprising that up till 24 hours before the event, there were still pansies out there with the status "Maybe attending"

Just being there to be able to meet and catch up with former school mates is fantastic. Eating, chatting, laughing at old times and sharing in all the juicy gossips, latest and passe. Former teachers who turned up as well made the event more special. Having not seen each other for up till 8 years, we stayed till way past closing time.

Another reason to attend secondary school gatherings is the delicious food. And it didn't disappoint. At this restaurant, it's $33++ for an a-la-carte buffet.

Whatever stage of life you are in now, treasure the friendships that you have, as well as those you are gonna make. We will never know how important our friends are.