a tale between two nations : youth issues

The UN has reported that social issues in these two nations are rather similar and include; Racism and Unemployment. Apart from these, the UN has also reported that youth issues is evidently a challenge faced by these two countries perhaps due to the ever changing psychological mindset of youth today.

For example, two challenges identified with the youth in Australia is that there is a need to actively incorporate and facilitate the participation of younger Australians. This is because it has been identified that organizations have failed to understand that Australian youth have become more independent in their thinking and working ethics whereby youth see themselves as co-workers and no longer employees of their organizations. Another issue that needs to be addressed is that schools in Australia need to be more flexible by providing training support opportunities; such as the development of problem-solving skills for career and life transition of the Australian youth.

On the other hand, Youth in Singapore experience not so similar challenges.  Despite the world-renowned 1^st class Education system in Singapore where students are provided with great diversity of education choices and pathways, there should be a greater recognition of multiple intelligences in developing youth potential instead of its current emphasis of education results. This overemphasis has caused students to experience low-esteem especially in those who do not perform as well. Another challenge that the government of Singapore needs to settle in the near future is the apparent lack of self-esteem affecting young people. This often is a hindrance as many youth lack the initiative to handle responsibility or to purse their dreams. Youth in Singapore are also often times forced to follow the one route system enforced by the government. These current issues in the youth society of Singapore has led many to conclude that even though academically Singaporean students are well-equipped this is not equivalent to success in other important areas of life.  

in EVERYTHING.. give thanks!

Well well,

dear avid fans of joninaussieland, jons back to blog! yes yes, i know... its been sooooo looonnggg... soooo looonnnng that it might have seem that jon has abandoned the writing/updating of his blog AGAIN.and yes, i stress the word AGAIN, because if you have been a reader of all the blogs jon has.. then, you would have realized that jon has a very bad habit of losing his inspiration/hope/patience in updating due to work.. (haa, there i go again, blaming it on work!)

so to those who have been expecting an update or sort, whether you're from singapore or from Perth or for that matter, anywhere around this ball of green, brown and blue.. REJOICE! Rejoice for jons back with more updates and rejoice cos i've decided to at least do a short entry daily!

so.... what has jon been up to? well, for those in singapore eager to know.. jons doing well! IN FACT, im having fun with all my new friends in Perth.. the fellowship is good.. the weather is awesome... the food can be better though!

thus, in ALL thing, give thanks for this is the will of God!

and know what? Jon's gonna dedicate this blog entry to all his new found friends he's met in BPCWA!

So in no order of preference, these are my new buddies..

Alan Kwai: Big Al as some people may know, this guy is a hardcore blogger! Man, andAl certainly has some wicked jokes under his sleeves! He's one of those dudes you need not know for long, yet he'll treat/welcome you with arms wide open!

Carine Liow: The queen of Akwai's heart. Steadfast and faithful gf, above all, a warm and thoughtful sweetie. Also the one who has in many instances encouraged me especially when i was still "new".

Jacob Woo: Jaks for short.. reminds me of a pack of jack chips! Know why? Cos this guy is cool and like that bag of chips slogan of.. "once you've start, you can't stop", once you've enjoyed jaks company, you just can't stop but want to hang out with jaks more! Can't help it... da da da da.. can't help it! LOL!

Rowena Cheng: queen of hearts as ching and chang terms her.. this lady is a fine example of an extroverted warm gal who does not take into offense the occasional "cruel" joke and mean pokes but instead, outwits you! If only more feminine like beings like her existed.. guys won't be left to deal with meaningless squabbles!

Adrian Cheng: one brother who is often found to be christ-centered in his communications. i'm just so thankful to God for this fella here. ever ready to encourage, every ready to reach out to not only his friends but more importantly, new comers and non believers. rock on for christ dude.

Caleb Cheng: haa.. the last of the cheng siblings. this guy has a crack of laughter! know why? Cos when Caleb laughs.. it wont be left unnoticed! a younger brother who is humble and ever willing to learn more.

Truc Pham: Chookies.. small in size yet packs a punch! Am thankful for the rides and the moments we've found each other so "loooossttt" in conversations. A lady with a passion for fellow female believers.. continue to commit those plans to God! Im sure in His time, He will honour and direct you what to do with that small burning fire!

John and Michie: Proud owners of Miss Manja and Mr Moggy! i think this is the couple i spend most of time with.. trying to be the big manja! haha.. but seriously, this couple reminds me of my galilee's dear good buddy ben and his eternal babe, lynda. A couple who is every wanting to be examples of what they believe/have been impressed of how a godly couple should be.

Merilyn Orchard: the closest person to home, literally! Bring me back to orchard road.. please! haha.. this lady here.. gentle, smiley and passionate for Christ! You've been such a blessing, tactful yet open in care and concern!

lest i forget.. these others have been good cheeries/sunbeams to me too!; Darrell, Karen, Ruth, Lilian, Barry, Aileen, Chiao-Ke-Li- Sean, Selina2 (chua and ting), Minh,Valarie, Victor, Jason, Jerome. (and those who've ive not included but have been blessings)
So you may ask, why the BIG hoo-haa over these people? Well.. cos they have been all so instrumental in my settling into BPCWA and in actual fact, my life in Perth! Ironically, even though we meet only on weekends, i spend so much time with these cool beings more than i do with my school mates! For it is said and i agree that; true friendships are those that have Christ based as the center, focus of attention! now now, who says Christians cant be cool? For i tell you, these people are cool and i can't help but thank God more for the future times where i will get to know these people more and more! All Praise and Glory to God!

Presenting to you..the gals and boys of BPCWA:

To conclude, i just want to say that im thankful to God for placing me here in BPCWA.. Am thankful that He has affirmed my footsteps to stay in BPCWA for good.. and well, here's a loud congrats to BPCWA on its 21st anniversary and to Alan on his 23rd bdae!

Now, what do you think? Do you think that base on these "misleading"photos, jon will enjoy the company of his stay in Perth? or do you think otherwise? Let me know.. =)

i guess.. thats it for now! Continue to stay tune, till Jon writes again!

Psalm 107:1 -

O give thanks unto the Lord; for He is good; for His mercy endureth

the important lesson the small bag of mamee taught me...

So here am i ... YES!

Updating my blog yet again!

Though this may be a quick one...

i believe its better to have updates than none, right?

So Jon is gonna talk about Mamee today!

Not sure what Mamee is? shame on you!

THIS IS MAMEE....

So why such a topic mamee you ask...

well.. cos im so happy i found this in COLES today!!!

This yummy goodie if you've not eaten it before..is FANTASTIC STUFF!

Its so Fantastic that when i was in Singapore,

i would buy 2 packs of this and munch munch munch!

But i doubt i will be able to do so here in Perth... cos as compared to the $1 pack of 10, Perth is selling it for $5 for 12 packs! Really not worth! =(

Well so, i guess that even this small little bag of goody has taught me a lesson or two.

Firstly, It has made me realized yet again how..ungrateful i can be at times...

Taking for granted some things in singapore..

the food, the fellowship and most importantly, the love from my family!

Secondly and above all, it has reminded me that in ALL THINGS;

COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS!

For one day, all these will be gone... and you will be judge on what you've done with the things God has given to you.. Thus, teach me to number my days O Lord..

Psalm 25:5- Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are my God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.

Psalm 90:12- So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom.

THUS, God forbid that i should not remember the many things HE has given me!

and so that, was the BIG lesson this bag of small mamee taught/reminded me today..

May YOU be reminded to count your blessings too...

a time to ... Celebrate!

Ah yes, this day ended with a BIG BANG! =) no no.. im not talking about evolution or anything..but im talking about sweet fellowship...and what better way to come together than to celebrate one of our beloved friends birthday..so who's the blessed one tonight?

Who else but... AL

This is Alan.. the "glum-ouroush"birthday boy!

The Royal. our place of makan makan.. 7pm our destined timing...
food was fantastic... atmosphere could not be better..but best was the people who were present.15 saints were present to celebrate Gods goodness on our dear brother..and as AL has testified in his blog ,

"I'd like to say thanks to those who came to celebrate this special ocassion with me."

i can't help but totally agree that it is the Christian warmth that makes everything,YES EVERYTHING, just so special..

For although we like other party people did our own singing of birthday song and well-wishes, i believe that its the gratitude that we all have in our hearts for this dear friend of ours. I may not be the best person to testify of this, but i'm sure many at the dinner tonight would and will testify of how God has moulded Alan to the person He is today. And better still, we are sure and convicted that "He who has started a good work in Alan, will continue to do so till Jesus returns"

Thus to my dear bro Alan, Jon just wants to say this to you..

May you continue to strive and do your Best for God..

May you when you meet our Dear Lord be able to say to Him,

"I have press on toward the goal of the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" (Phil 3:14)

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course (race), I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord the righteous Judge will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing." (2 Tim 4:6)

And to you my brother, i continue to say this..

that i am proud that i am able to run this race together with you,

I am glad that we will be able to sharpen/encourage/pray for each other,

till we meet our Dear Lord face to face!

enjoy these small set of photos..

Alan and the queen of his heart, Carine

the brothers... with rowies!? Yes!

the group...

I guess this is it to tonights edition of Jons Journey..

Stay tuned for more updates as ...

goes through another day of life in Perth.

Till then, good night and may God bless you!

of seasons as such...

oh what a timely reminder..

a season for laughter..

a season for sadness..

as i take time to walk with my master..

just Him and me..

i pray He will show me His ways.. His plans and His love.

i've often ask myself.. what pain is..

i've often asked myself... what it means to run away..

i've often asked myself... if i can cut off my emotions and feelings for certain things.

i admit.. i do get emotional thinking about some matters..

but i don't blame myself.

for years. i've been trying to deal with these issues..

for years.. i've become numb..

so numb.. that i have been immune to the pains.

not knowing that as i try.. all i ever did was run away..

not knowing that as i try.. i did not face it as how i should have..

not knowing that as i try.. i've turned a blind eye to things that really matter to me.

oh footprints in the sand..

may i find your promise, faithful..

as i walk this sandy and painful next few days.. weeks or months..

may i find only one set of footprints..

not that footprints, of one who has been walking it in his own selfish way; mine..

but the footprints that belong to the One who has always been there, waiting..

yes, waiting.. for my stubborn voice to say..

i want to take Your hand... Please guide and teach me..

i want to know how to get through/over this pain, Your way.. once and for all

all these, but for one reason..

that reason... for Your Glory.

Teach me, to let go.. and let God..

instill in me; obedience, determination and humility.

from me to you...

dear me,

you know..

that there will be days you just hope something would happen..

when you just pray and long for a miracle to happen...

but it doesnt?

stay strong.. stay true...

for what may seem lonesome and dark now..

is just a temporal passing by.

wipe away that fear/tear off your face..

and face things bravely.

accept things as they are...

appreciate people for who they are...

be brave..

for behind every dark cloud..

lies a beautiful rainbow..

visible for only those who stand strong and keep their faith going on.

from yours truly,

jon- 14th march 2007.

From the land down-under!

And so..the parents have left..man, i kinda miss them right now...but we sure did have loads of fun when they were here in Perth. Well, at least they did! (classes for me started on the actual day i stepped foot on Perth land)

Introducing (drumrolls pleaseeee....) my folks...

DAD... why are u so stone-y? Mum's acting cute again!

Well so, what have they done in the one week they were here? They did loads!!! And they went to Swan valley and its famous Winery! I want to go too!!!

oh well... apart from their seperate tour, we did of course meet up pretty often too. We had loads of fun eating, sight seeing and of course SHOPPING! Man, i didn't know dad was such a shopaholic!! Never judge a book (in this case, a face) by its cover eh! =) way to go dad! I really thank God they were here...for two great reasons.. Firstly, we were able to pray and have devotions as and when we could.. and Secondly, the amount of daily necessities (food esp.) they got me.

.

As for me, i had loads of fun in the past week! Honestly, i'm starting to grow to love this place!! Thank God too for a B-P church in Perth.

Bible-Presby. Church of Western Australia (BPCWA)

BPCWA really reminds me alot of my own church back in Singapore, Galilee Bp Church! Standard Bible-Presbyterian style (perhaps thats why my folks especially dad insisted i go to BPCWA). I had intentions of going to another church (i still do.. a little. sheesh) basically because i wanted a new change of enviroment, a new break from the norm.. but i think the Lord wants me here in BPCWA, because HE has allowed me to bring a new soul to Him. First sunday in Perth and the Lord has used me already! Also, i appreciate the people in BPCWA, who are really sincere and warm..!

My first friends from BPCWA; Adrian (the one in blue) Barry and Lilian! We had dinner at a italian restaurant in Joondalup! MAN, our food was GOOD and the pizza serving was HUGE! There's a story/reason to it.. remind me to tell you yah!

These are just some bits of my very short but exciting journey in Perth... of course there is so much more to write, but if i tell you everything, i can perhaps write a 10-page essay! to sum it all up.. i only have three words to describe life here, that is; I LOVE PERTH! haha.. really, i thank God for paving all ways for me to be in this VERY hot but beautiful land!

Okie, i gotta go.. for dinner! i cooked dinner today! and man, it tastes YUMMY! i mean, SERIOUSLY, i did not know i could cook so well! haha...

after that its back to the books... loads to read...

thats it folks.!

stay tuned to Jon's Journies...! For now, stay cool, bubbly, happy and enjoy the sun!