A Song with Meaning

Ties back to my blog title

If Today was Your Last Day
By Nickelback

My best friend gave me the best advice
He said each day's a gift and not a given right
Leave no stone unturned, leave your fears behind
And try to take the path less traveled by
That first step you take is the longest stride

If today was your last day
and tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old pictures in the past
Donate every dime you have?
If today was your last day

Against the grain should be a way of life
What's worth the prize is always worth the fight
Every second counts 'cause there's no second try
So live like you'll never live it twice
Don't take the free ride in your own life

If today was your last day
and tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old pictures in the past
Donate every dime you have?

Would you call old friends you never see?
Reminisce of memories
Would you forgive your enemies?
Would you find that one you're dreamin' of?
Swear up and down to God above
That you finally fall in love
If today was your last day

If today was your last day
Would you make your mark by mending a broken heart?
You know it's never too late to shoot for the stars
Regardless of who you are
So do whatever it takes
'Cause you can't rewind a moment in this life
Let nothin' stand in your way
Cause the hands of time are never on your side

If today was your last day
and tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?

Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old pictures in the past
Donate every dime you have?
Would you call old friends you never see?
Reminisce of memories
Would you forgive your enemies?
Would you find that one you're dreamin' of?
Swear up and down to God above
That you finally fall in love
If today was your last day

Credits: vimeo.com

Looking for Me

When you're the only righteous person someone will probably ever meet.

Was at the Archi building this morning, after settling stuff at the post office. Reminded me of my friend W. A few months ago he asked for help with his work. I helped twice I think.

One of those days, in the computer lab, each of us working on a desktop, he asked for prayer. He wanted to pass his coursework. No, not a ritualistic, stereotypical prayer request with lots of big words. I was speaking normal language with him, West Malaysian-dialect Malay. I wasn't laying hands on him. And I wasn't closing my eyes. Neither was he. It felt like just another honest conversation. I said, "Aku doakan ko dapat honours lagi" (meaning: not just a pass).

A few days ago he told me:

hey creski..sorry lambat balas msg u ...
my result ok la... semua ada H ...thanks man...

It taught me a few things: Prayer is powerful; talking with God is easy; prophecy can happen in the most un-dramatic settings (in the natural world...who knows how bizarre things are in the supernatural); I would faithfully do what I'm meant to do when it comes from the heart, from within. I'm very happy for him.

And God, The God of Mercy said: See, lot's of people are looking for Me.

...Turned around

After the sad news.

The SMS from Dad arrived at 5.03 am Melbourne time. My aunt passed away. When people ask me whether I'm close to her, I'd say not personally, but I'm close to her kids - my cousins. Her son (eldest), at the age of 13, was the first to teach me guitar. Her first daughter was my closest cousin during my primary and secondary school years, probably because only the two of us were similar in age and lived in the city. Her youngest daughter is probably my little sister's favourite childhood friend.

It's the first day of 4th semester for me, and I'm surely excited to learn Neuroscience. But today was perhaps a day of mixed feelings. Maybe it began yesterday at 5.16 pm when Mom called me and told me the urgent news that Auntie was hospitalised.

When I woke up today and saw the message on my phone, I turned to the wall and cried out to God. I was shocked. It's the 3rd death back home since I came to Melbourne. My grandma (Dad's mom) passed away earlier this year, just before third sem started. One of the kids in Sunday School died in a monsoon drain last year, when he was about 8 years old. God, this makes me sad.

I told this to a friend while on the train ride just now. Can't believe how liberating it is! I always see people quoting: shared joy is double joy, shared sorrow is half sorrow. Yes, indeed. My mood is turned around. I see the meaning in life once again.

I see God as the source of all happiness. He gives purpose in all that I do. The music that I make with my acoustic guitar is meaningful because of who He is to me - hey, isn't He the originator of all creativity? My intellectual pursuit in learning about neurological diseases - e.g. a kid who can't straighten his ring and little finger, and has trouble clenching it - is made enjoyable. Why? Because I realise that God gave this work to me - the task to study, understand and eventually treat people who are sick. My exercise and workout is made worthwhile, because I'm tweaking this flesh that I have for tip-top physical (and mental) function - for His work.

It's all because of Him.

Medical Staff "Hierarchy"

Just another random blogspot post.

What is the hierarchy of the medical staff? What is their level of training? E.g intern, resident, registrar, fellow, consultant, staff specialist, visiting medical officer.

Intern - postgraduate 1 year
Resident - postgraduate 1-3 years usually
Registrar - postgraduate 4 years or more
Fellow - usually a senior registrar
Consultant - someone who is a qualified specialist
Staff specialist - a specialist who is employed at least half time by hospital
Visiting medical officer - specialist mainly in private practice employed for a varying number of hours/week to come into the hospital

Source: UTAS (University of Tasmania) website