my results

i am so screwed! my CGPA dropped :( BELOW 3.5! Im at 3.46! *sob*

2 A's, 1 B and 1 B- *cry*

ugh... am i a born loser or what. *geez*

Love song for no one

Love song for no one - John Mayer
---------------------------------

Staying home alone on a Friday
Flat on the floor looking back
On old love
Or lack thereof
After all the crushes are faded
And all my wishful thinking was wrong
I'm jaded
I hate it

I'm tired of being alone
So hurry up and get here
So tired of being alone
So hurry up and get here

Searching all my days just to find you
I'm not sure who I'm looking for
I'll know it
When I see you
Until then, I'll hide in my bedroom
Staying up all night just to write
A love song for no one

I'm tired of being alone
So hurry up and get here
So tired of being alone
So hurry up and get here

I could have met you in a sandbox
I could have passed you on the sidewalk
Could I have missed my chance
And watched you walk away?

I'm tired of being alone
So hurry up and get here
So tired of being alone
So hurry up and get here
You'll be so good
You'll be so good for me

it's done!

I went up to him just a few minutes ago, let him know of my feelings regarding the brochure and it's off my shoulders :) I'm so happy! Wheeeeee! so carefree now! :)

My theology of salvation

What is salvation? Must I know Jesus to be saved? Am I saved by grace alone or do I have to work towards my salvation? Who can be saved?

These questions often boggle the minds of many new believers and even those who will consider themselves seasoned Christians. Salvation is often defined very simply as a free gift that is available to all who accept it. Whoever accepts this free gift will then get the gift of salvation. But is accepting this free gift really all it takes to be saved? How about those who have not had the chance to even hear of this free gift? Will they be saved?

I will attempt to address the questions while putting forward my theology of the topic: Salvation. Though I have been brought up as and Adventist since young, I will attempt to make my answers as broad as possible and not just come from the Adventists’ point of view.

My definition of Salvation
My personal definition of the word or term, Salvation, is God saving man from the effects and the power of Sin. Now that we have a general idea of what Salvation is all about, we can move onto other issues regarding Salvation.

Must I be a Christian to be saved?
Born-again Christians who have lost brothers, sisters, parents, friends or relatives who never did know Jesus, people who are questioning if they can be saved and if they must join a Christian denomination to be saved as this question.

Often, John 14:6 is quoted and used to tell or sometimes even scare people into becoming a Christian.

Jn 14:6 Jesus said to him, I am the Way and the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except by (through) Me. (NLT)

According to the text, the Bible says Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life and that “no one comes to the Father except through” Him. I have heard others say that if you do not become a Christian, you won’t be saved. Worse still are some who claim that only their own denomination will be saved! Is God’s love limited to only a handful of people?

My personal view on this matter might greatly shock some people but nonetheless, it is that we do not need to know Jesus (the name) to be saved. If knowing Jesus is in fact the only way to be saved, how about all the famous men in the Bible who lived before the time of Jesus? Elisha, Joshua, Caleb, Adam, David (who was the man after God’s own heart) and a whole list of many other people who lived and walked with God. Since Jesus came after their deaths, would they be lost?

In the Gospels, we read of Jesus and his death on the cross for us – the plan of salvation, the thief of the cross who asked Jesus to remember him. I believe that Christianity helps us to understand God’s redeeming grace and plan of salvation better than any other religion does, but being a Christian does not assure you of salvation. You are better equipped in making the decision to follow Christ and let God lead you life, but you are no better off in gaining salvation than others.

My understanding of knowing Jesus and being saved can be shown in a model that Dr. Fanwar has shown us in his lectures on the topic of Salvation. This is a slightly modified version of the model that was drawn out by Dr. Fanwar during the class lectures.



In this model, salvation comes to one when he has reached the Covenant Confrontation experience and moved on to a closer relationship with God. Once he has reached that point, he is saved. There is a chance that he might drop back down to the mundane area again – it all depends on his relationship with God. Using Adventist terminology, once probation closes, all who have been walking close to God no longer stand a chance to be lost. To sum up my point, a person does not have to know the name/man Jesus in order to be saved.

In the model above, I have listed in the mundane—world—religion section, religious societies or organizations such as Taoism, Christianity, Hinduism and if you have noticed, there are arrows that point up and down. Up, leading to salvation and down, leading to ultimate destruction.

I believe that as the sun shines down on the earth, heating it up and illuminating everything, so does the presence of God and His Holy Spirit work in our lives. The Sun is constant, it is there, but in different areas of the world, the effects of the sun differ by far – places near to the equator experience a lot more warmth from the sun as compared to places that are closer to the north and south poles of the earth.

It is my personal belief that the Holy Spirit works in each one of us, in our consciences, making us feel bad or guilty when we have done something wrong, prompting us to do something that is right rather than wrong. The very fact that every human on this earth, whether Christian, Hindu, Atheist or Buddhist have a conscience in them that prompts them on issues of right or wrong tells us that there is a part of God’s image in us that has been left in us despite the effects of sin in this world – that alone I consider to be a work of God in us.

God is working in every facet of our lives, regardless of what religion we are of! Religion is described by John Hick as man-made. Will something that is man-made save us from ultimate evil? No! Only God can save us from ultimate evil and ultimate destruction.

The question now comes - Can you know God without knowing Jesus? Particularist’s claim that you cannot be saved unless you are a Christian. Quoting Acts 4:12 - Ac 4:12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” (NIV) So, can anyone else other than a Christian (someone who professes faith in Jesus) be saved? In the book of Genesis 14:18-20, we read of a worshiper of the true God in the man named Melchizedek. He was a priest and worshiper of the one true God in a land full of heathen people! If this could happen in the times of Abraham, could it happen today too? Definitely! I am not taking sides with what I would call an extreme side (Pluralist View) where they say that all religions lead to God. No, I am not siding with pluralistic views, but I am saying that there is some light available to people regardless of religion, somewhere between the Pluralist view and the Particularist views where I believe, God’s saving grace operates even on the outside of the boundaries of the church.

I strongly believe that if someone is really earnest in searching for God, despite whatever religion (label) he is in, he will find God, and when he does, he will know Him and be saved. All who hear the voice of God and answer to Him will be saved. God is always with you in the form of the Holy Spirit, no matter where you are, you will never walk alone. It is your relationship with God, the creator of heaven and of earth that saves you, not doctrinal beliefs that you have from your religion or religious caste. God is waiting for you, he wants you to experience Him and be saved! What are you waiting for!

My stand and my decision

Tomorrow... or today rather... later today in the morning, i'm going to return the sample and reject the offer.

I can't do this without bugging my conscience - to me, it's ethically not acceptable. They can hate me for not doing so; maybe I won't get more jobs from them... but who cares, as long as my conscience is clear :)

My heart or my conscience?

*the story IS real and this is what I'm going through right now. I'm airing my feelings. the names have been changed... to protect even those I feel aren't worth protecting.



"...Picture of 7 students crowded in a room looking straight to you as if to say, "we need to have a quality Christian education; but we have no where to live.""

I got a call this morning from the school's board asking me to take some photographs for fund raising for the school. This school is pretty well-off and it is a nice place to live and study at, the problem however (to me), is the administration.

"The school is raising funds for its new dorm and we have a team going to the USA to raise funds...

"we need pictures of... and also for the front, a picture of 7 students crowded in a room looking straig at you...

... and we would like you to take the pictures for us. You will be paid for this job and we would very much like the pictures to be done by this thursday as the brochures have to be printed by this weekend..."

I looked him in the eye and said, "isn't this a little pathetic? to be begging for help - almost?" At most, 3 people stay in one room - fine... it IS hard enough to have 3 people in a room that's built for 2 but has enough space for one. Seven? Now, that's really pushing it to the limits.

He looked me in the eye, almost sincerely and somehow evaded my question.

"We are offering you XXXX baht for just these eight pictures in total..."

The money no doubt is good - for now, I have till thursday to produce the pictures the school wants, but my conscience is eating me alive.

I don't want to give people an impression that the students here are squeezing in 7 in a room like illegal workers who squeeze into tight living quarters because they can't get a good room for themselves. We are not that PATHETIC damn it!

This is fueling my anger... I have to let it out. That picture... thats part of the brochure they plan to print and it's there in writing; the whole plan of deception - to get the money they so need to build another dorm.

Students will welcome the new dorm no doubt, but do they have to do it in such a way? We're supposed to be a Christian Institution mind you!

God... help me.

ACP Photojournalist!

Woohoo! ACP presspass in the mail! WOOHOO! Nate de Paparazzi! haha :D yay! Member of de press now!

Thunderstorm!

9:17pm Thailand Time:

Sudden thunderstorm hits Muak Lek district of Saraburi - Thailand. Im sitting here in my room and... all of a sudden! *BOOOOOOOOM* and rain starts pouring out of nowhere! It's insane... powerlines are down and I'm in a blackout...

I'll continue to blog as anything new happens - found it interesting as my friend messaged me online asking if it was raining... I said 'no' as it had been hot all day and i expected a hot, stuffy night. Apparently, flights to BKK have been diverted to Pattaya due to storms in the area... looks like the storm just hit me...

Terence kinda monkeying around while Shuyi's stuck to the tele - discovery channel... i think u can guess what was on tele that night! :D

Shuyi, Terence and SzeGay standing outside the Hard Rock Cafe - Siam Square, Bangkok.

The (kinda heavy) traffic in bangkok - thats at 9am in the morning! Not so bad really... cars were still going along pretty quick!

A view of the city from First Hotel :) That's the Baiyoke!!! soooo tall!

Sze Gay and Shuyi get a massage after Terence and myself are done with ours - we didn't have pictures of us getting massaged!!! boo!!

Shopping at JJ market! It was soooooooooo hot and stuffy there!

At the "Capitol of Rock" - Hard Rock Cafe, Thailand.

Sze Gay, Shuyi, Terence and myself at A&W - getting a nice morning breakfast! woohoo! The three of them came up from Singapore to visit Thailand and we met up - man! Had a hell of a time with them! I remember old times when we were still in secondary school! :)

An email to remember :)

I just got this in my inbox! My ex-roomie who just graduated mailed me! WOOHOO! *man i miss him!*

-----------------------
Hey hey!!

Don't worry now nat. The next roomie shouldn't be too bad. Sorry to leave you cold turkey that way bro! Just keep in touch maybe over the email i might be able to feel in the empty bed!

Gonna go traveling for the harvest festival with my family tomorrow. Will be travelin for bout 5 days straight. Gonna feel like shit by the end of week but heck... I'm home so i gotta enjoy the food rite? ehaehae!!

So how are classes? Enjoying them i suppose. Don't stress yourself out too much.

I sure miss being roommates. I'll definitely miss the late night talks and all especially the singing and the 24hours songs and all. Don't worry man! You'll get over it. Maybe you're feeling awfully down coz the guys aren't back. Watever it is, thanks for everything bro. You've taught me a lot and i really appreciate it. Definitely you have made an impact in my life. Not only that you've made a great dent in my life that i definitely appreciate. One that i would never ever fix!!

Enjoy yourself in school. Keep making friends. My motto in life may work for you, better to add an extra person on the friend list than on the enemy list. Enjoy yourself watever the place and the condition you're in. I definitely will trade my place for yours. (Don't really like working ehaheha!!)

Well, bro... got to get to bed... leaving tomorrow at 5am (Thai time: 4 am)

Keep in touch.

ure roomie forever,
Randy
-----------------------

Making friends that last a lifetime - that's something all of us should work on! :)

ur roomie forever too man!,
nat

searing pain!

My feet hurt. blisters. ouch. *cry* pain!

study...................................

Are those for real? - my arms...

Well, a lot of people have been asking me this via email, msn... and the answer is *drumroll* YES! That's me in the picture and those are indeed my arms. If you think they're big and that they look really toned... here's the lowdown:

1) They're for real - no digital manipulation nor is it a result of some lens angle perspective
2) I'm proud to say they're 14" around on each arm
3) The dramatic lighting effect accentuates the shape - under natural lighting, it wouldnt be that obvious
4) I'm working to get my arms more toned and getting a nice chest and abs =)

How'd i get them?
1) Pushups - Standard and Diamonds... 150-200 each night. Weekends are double dose... morning and evening b4 i shower n sleep.
2) Eat right - I lost quite a bit! hehehe
3) Have the motivation to actually carry thru the whole plan :D - my motivation is a poster on my wall that my pastor's wife gave to me some 2 years ago before i left singapore to study. It reads "Perseverance - there are no short cuts to success. hard work pays" and there's a picture of this totally worked out body :D hehehe that's my motivation.

[peace]out
nate-dawg

Nate-dawg: Episode III - Return of the Jedi Bugs!

Night falls over MC and once again, the alien bugs strike.

Nate-dawg dons his suit, does his bow-tie and picks up his gun.

"it's loaded with SX-110 alien bug spray. Each bullet will explode on sensing the frequency of the hum emitted by the bug's when they are flying. You've got 22 rounds in each magazine, use them wisely..." Mr. T, Nate-dawg's capable assistant said as he turned to leave the room. "Oh yeah, almost forgot... be careful!"

"I will..."

"You never cease to amaze me Sir" T replied, this time stepping out of the room...

Screams were heard across the street and Nate-dawg looked up. "Alien scum!"

"Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhwwwppp!" Nate-dawg fired a round and watched as the alien bugs under the house lamp across the road fell to the ground, dead.

Nate-dawg ran over and inspected them. "Much bigger than before... mutation?" he thought to himself. The bugs had grown a full inch! They were now the length of a finger, close to 2 inches long! These were huge! At the rate they were growing, who knew what would happen!

"Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm" the sound of the bugs came closer and Nate-dawg quickly ran to his MacLaren, closing the doors tight and making sure that no light emitted from the inside.

There had to be a way... there simply had.

The car studdenly started to shake violently, rocking left to right. Suddenly Nate-dawg found himself being lifted off the ground! something was lifting his car up in the air! Looking through the skylight, Nate-dawg saw the biggest alien bug he had ever seen! Over six feet long, this was a monster!

"Die Nate-dawg! Die!!!!!" the bug muttered, it's hideous fangs opening and closing as it spoke.

Nate-dawg pushed open the skylight and fired 10 rounds into the beast... the car plummeted into the darkness below.

SPLASH!

Water began to seep into the car as Nate-dawg struggled to get out, swimming up to the surface.

The Jedi bugs had come...

Episode 2: Tables Turn

Nate-dawg clings onto his can of alien bug spray and prepares for the words. Geared up in a fitting black leather outfit that made him immune to the attacks of the alien bugs, Nate-dawg was safe, but he dreaded the cleaning up that would be needed the day after...

"ugh... i hope i won't have to sweep 'em bodies of you dead aliens tomorrow" he grunted from behind the protective helmet he had on.

"hum......."

the drone of the alien bugs grew louder. Nate-dawg took a candle, lit it and slipped it outside through the door, quickly closing it ensuring the the alien bugs didn't get in.

hours went by and soon Nate-dawg was fast asleep - the can of alien bug spray still in his hand, ready should anything happen. this was the second night they had come...




The tables had turned during the night! the candle attracted the alien bugs and the heat had killed them all! There were sum still crawling around and Nate-dawg sprayed them with the alien bug spray, eliminating them all! There was a mess but not that big a mess!

"they're coming again tonight", Nate-dawg thought to himself as he surveyed the situation. "its time to prepare for tonight..."

watch out for Episode 3: The return of the Jedi bugs

Nate-dawg, we have a problem

In the last episode of Nate-dawg, alien bugs were attacking from all sides of Nate-dawg's hideout! Doors, windows, ventilation shafts, they were all unsafe. The alien bugs were drawn to light and heat! Scores, no, millions of bugs were ready to rush into Nate-dawg's premises... what could Nate-dawg think of!?

============================================================
Episode 2: Let there be darkness

Nate-dawg raced around his compound, shutting windows, closing the mesh doors and filling the gaps with tape or cloth. Time was running out, millions of alien bugs were gathering outside, ready to barge in!

"The lights!! The lights!", Nate-dawg shouted to himself as he ran to the switchbox and desperately pulled the switch down.

All the lights went out and an eerie glow filled the inside of the building. Light was seeping in through the cracks and windows from the outside. Nate-dawg could hear the loud continuous hum of the alien bugs hovering outside... did he do enough to ensure that the alien bugs wouldn't attack?

Nate-dawg's hand tightened over a can of alien bug spray, guaranteed "as seen on TV" to eliminate alien bugs with a whiff of the spray. It would be his last resort to use the alien bug spray... tune in tomorrow for the next episode entitled "Tables Turn".

the blocked nose

up since 5am this morning... i'm having a terrible saturday today. sabbath and my nose is blocked and running... at it's own will - i don't have control of the tap, it drips, stops, flows, stops. it's irritating!

not sure what i'm going to do for the rest of the day. it's 11:21am now - 12:21pm in singapore/hongkong/malaysia.

hmm... i've been listening to music all this while... getting really really really bored. i shall take a read soon. plop myself in the shower a coule of times maybe? i dont quite know. ugh :(

the leeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaky nose.

Cameras

i own a pretty good camera setup... dslr body with a range of professional lenses for assignments and fun shoots... but... there's a craving for a compact camera... for the times where a big one doesn't cut it! hmmm



isnt this nice? heehee

friday again

friday has come... lets see..

1. i learnt that my professor loves to freak his wife out by driving really fast
2. i tink i've gained one kilo
3. i had blonde hair for 1 day, it WAS PERMANANT till i changed it back to black; it was an accident, really - sad to say, no pictorial evidence.
4. i was flogged by flying termites and couldn't do my homework
5. i woke up at 4:30 in the morning to do my assignments! this morning!
6. i cleaned up my camera
7. god was watching over me thru the day
8. realized that my dvd combo drive is cranky
9. i'm going to work out after this post - before i sleep

im tired... :)

Flying Termites...

Yes they've taken over... and I've given up doing my assignments because they fly all over my room and make a mess - not to mention into my hair and onto my books! In my face even! GOSH!

I shall wake up at 5am tomorrow and do my work... UGH. I AM VERY VERY PISSED!!! DAMN TERMITES!!!!!!!!! WHY DID GOD HAVE TO MAKE EM!!?!?!? - any entamologists can help me out with that? Are termites any good to mankind?

This is the whole extended Kampong family - including a group of girls who call themselves the "white unicorns" - names like these still actually exist even in UNI level! wow... don't laugh. :)

This is Jyn - JJ's older sis. She used to study here at MC but she's back in the philippines now... did i get that spelling right? Or issit philipines? ehh... nvm. well, caught her swirling her hair while holding a fork n spoon during the Kampong Farewell dinner. *sob* well... pix sharing is cool~ eheehee

I kinda like this picture of me... in action taking pictures - i love taking pictures! dont ask me why... it's like me and playing the guitar - it comes so naturally! haha :) you might be laughing now... but well, that's me - i love taking pictures... dont get my own picture taken very often though, thats why i like this picture - it's unique! cheers!

time passes by...

- time passes by so quickly, in a heartbeat, you're 22.
- you realize how much something or someone is to you only when they are gone.
- you learn that love isn't just another four letter word, its got substance and it tears your heart when you think you've found it when in fact, you've not.
- you learn that friends are your pillars, but your family is THE firm foundation that holds you up when the pillars of your life crumble.
- you learn to cherish the little things in life you once percieved as insignificant.
- you wonder why everyone wants to graduate fast and dive into the blood-sucking working world out there.
- you see that a 'good school' is no more than a 'golden birdcage'.
- you begin to yearn for that special someone and think that age doesn't really matter anymore, it's maturity and understanding rather than numbers in your age.
- you wonder what life will be when you're a working adult.

L I F E . l i f e . L I F E . l i f e . L I F E

Officially gone.

Graduation weekend is over and Randy (my roomie) is officially gone. Some people think thank relationships (like in my case... two guys... close friends) that have 2 people of the same sex are weird... well, platonic friends who are closer than just friends - more like brothers.

I could see the tears in his eyes when we embraced before he left with his parents this afternoon. I held back my tears too. I've got a picture of us here on my wall and thinking of it does start to make my eyes well up with tears.

Life has to go on... in time, I'll be graduating and it'll be the same feeling all over again.

A little back-tracking... last night, i borrowed a bike and went to Muak Lek town to buy a bottle of 'fake wine' - sparkling grape juice for the 4 of us - Randy, Darran, Tyler and myself. I bought the most expensive one they had... about 250 baht, not too expensive for me but it's reasonably expensive here in thailand.

This morning, we walked down to the caf at 8:45am before the ceremony started and Tyler got a few cups with ice. Randy popped the cork... ur, twisted the cap rather... *i thought it was a cork... but it turned out to be a screw on cap!* and we poured out the 'wine' to celebrate their graduation and our friendship, the times we've had together in rooms 301 and 303. The closest bunch of friends ever!

"Cheers, to all the good times, bad times we've gone through and the weird times too" Randy said. We all laughed and before we drank, I gave a really short appreciation speech which Darran recorded on his camera (he has it everywhere! Trusty Panasonic LMC-2). We toasted and drank. I sensed that we all were kind of sad... the times have passed and they won't exactly go on in rooms 301 and 303... but im sure we will live experiences together somehow, somewhere, sometime in the future.

I'm sitting here with a tear starting to roll off my left cheek. Holding back just won't do I guess... Cheers to the great times ahead and congratulations, my best friend, Randy.

Always your bro,
Nathaniel

Kampong

This was taken just yesterday when they had the graduation ceremony. I feel so happy for the graduates who will be leaving, two of my closest friends on campus... I know I'm going to miss them so much... especially my roomie... graduation, friends forever. Vitamin C's got a really good song on that... and though it's sad... it's mixed with feelings of happiness and also a sense of fear and doubt about the future. How everyone wants a secure future... well... no one can guarantee it... but i know if you trust in God, whatever the outcome, you know you're in good hands.

Graduation, friends forever... wherever you guys may be...

Randy, Darran, Tyler... you'll always be in my heart. Kampong always :)

boredom and loneliness

It's set it. Ive been in my room for over 12 hours all alone. I can't stand it. i'm missing my roommate. i really do... it's like losing a friend. i know i should be happy that he's graduating and moving on in life... but :(

I really feel miserable. It really sucks - the feeling of being all alone with no one around.

ugh... my room is about 70% packed... still have to pack. im sad.

you're gone...

so hard to see all my friends leave. 4 of us... and 1 left behind. 2 are graduating, one's leaving for the states... new neighbours and new roomie... so sad.

im moving my things across the room and it feels so strange that i'm taking the place where randy has been for the past four years of his life here in school. it really is sad... if you live here in the dorm you'll understand.

well... arrived here safely and my stuff arrived safely too. the digi-cabi i brought over is in one piece and is working fine. have my camera equipment safely in the box and i'm arranging my room.

well, the loneliness is just starting to set in... *sob*

That's me - a studio shot by a close friend :) I took his picture and he took mine while our model was changing clothes! haha :D Do pop by my website which is at www.nathanieltan.com i'm looking for assignments in August 2005, particularly weddings. Studio shoots will be fine too... hehehe me!!!!!!!!

Singaporean's blog closed down! Sued too! WAH!

Read this online... thought I'd share this... SCARY!

SINGAPORE: Web log shuts down
after government threat of legal action
from [http://www.cpj.org/news/2005/Sing05may05na.html]


New York, May 5, 2005—The threat of legal action has prompted Singaporean blogger Jiahao Chen to shut down his site and post an apology for comments criticizing a government agency and its chairman. The Committee to Protect Journalists said today it is alarmed that the threat of defamation lawsuits is being used to inhibit criticism of the government in cyberspace, much as it has in Singapore's traditional media.

A*Star (Agency for Science, Technology and Research) acknowledged that it threatened to lodge a defamation suit against Chen, Channel NewsAsia reported yesterday. Chen, who is currently pursuing graduate studies in the United States, was formerly a scholarship student through the agency. Under the pseudonym Acid Flask, he posted comments on his Web log criticizing the agency's policies, according to other Internet news sources.

On April 26, Chen shut down his site and posted a statement that "the price of maintaining the content ... has become too high for the author to afford." He apologized to A*Star and to its chairman, Philip Yeo, "for having hosted or made remarks which Mr. Yeo felt were defamatory to him and the agency that he leads," and promised not to mention the chairman or the agency by name on the Web site.

Government agencies and officials in Singapore have often lodged civil and criminal defamation complaints—which can bring large fines and jail time—against traditional media outlets that criticize them by name. The London-based Economist magazine paid US$230,000 in damages to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and his father last year after noting a "whiff of nepotism" in the appointment of the prime minister's wife as chief of a government investment company.

Bloggers who criticize Singapore's political or social policy often do so anonymously. Following the threat of legal action against Chen, lawyer Gilbert Koh shut down his Web log. Koh wrote that he had not received any threat of legal action, but that he could not risk a defamation suit by writing under his real name. In his last posting, he offered tips to other bloggers to avoid defamation complaints by remaining anonymous, refraining from naming officials or agencies in their criticism, and removing remarks posted by others that might be construed as defamatory.

"Defamation suits are used as a club by the government of Singapore to silence critical thinking and reporting in the media," CPJ Executive Director Ann Cooper said. "We are troubled that the government has raised the specter of costly legal action to chill commentary on the Internet."

thats my new name-card! haha :D starting out on my photography business! Head to my webbie at http://nathanieltan.com heehee 

new nokia!!

I got me a new nokia! WOOOOHOOOOOOO!!! :D heeheeheehee 7260!

new phone!

im gonna buy a new phone soon!! will keep u all updated!! AHH! im like a little kid all over again! So EXCITED!!!!!!!

gooooooooood morning

it's beeen pouring since i don't know what time and wow! shimona actually said it rained! AMAZING... haha! We've been waiting for it to rain back in school (thailand). Im here in SG and it's pouring... can't really do what I love to do - take photographs.

Anyways... today's mothers day, so to my mom : HAPPY MOTHERS DAY MOMMY! I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!

Exams finally over!

Sat down at 1:30pm and walked out at 2:20pm today for my homiletics final exam. It wasn't the easiest paper but I can say that I was prepared :D

So far, Shimona and I have been competing - see who can finish the fastest and still score A's! hehehe ok, I'm bragging and I hope it won't see me NOT get an A but I'm in the lead 7 - nil at the moment! heehee See shimona's blog [HERE]

Fanwar took a look at my paper today and got a shock - 7 sides written full. "So much?" he gave me a really quizzical look. Anyways, I'll be going home tomorrow! *yay* :D

Video & Mp3!

The song that Shimona and I did is online now... but not he video, just the MP3... You guys can download it by clicking below!

DOWNLOADS
"I believe in You" (You are the rock of my salvation) - DOWNLOAD