My Life

2008-02-16T01:46:00.000-08:00

/quit

mm

2007-11-10T04:36:00.000-08:00

One things for sure, I never thought I'd be here.

After everything that's happened in my life, it's taken me this long to realize that there is a light at the end of this dark tunnel. There is hope, there is love, there is a life to share with my creator. With our creator.

How naive have I been...

My holidays

2007-04-21T19:03:00.000-07:00

Hmm, so these holidays have been good for me. Easter camp kicked off the holidays, then I basically just relaxed for the first week of the holidays, with a bit indoor cricket and soccer practice. The second week was a tad more intense as I worked a proud 42 hour week along with indoor cricket, indoor netball, and soccer. So yeah, I haven't had a whole lot of time to do homework and internal essays for school. In fact, I haven't done a thing. So tonight/early tomorrow morning I have the fun of trying to complete my essays!

And that's about all I wanted to say about my holidays!

Easter Camp

2007-04-09T15:14:00.000-07:00

Easter camp was awesome!

Sure it had it's ups and downs, some of which I won't mention, but some of which I will :D

Spiritually, this Easter camp was the best for me. I felt as though I grew about 10 paces closer to God, and felt and still feel as though I have the ability to overcome any obstacles on my journey.

This year I enjoyed Satellite's music more than any other year. I think this was because I was worshiping more than trying to enjoy the songs. But also because they sang some of my favorite Satellite songs like "Let freedom ring" and "Who are you?" They also sang a new one which I thought was really cool.

Our youth group tent was pretty cool, nice place to chill out, chat, and listen to music.
We had a different group of Opawians this year, but we all got on relatively well :D

The speakers this year were really good. Christoph spoke really well, and was humorous as usual. The skinny white guy was really good too, and I really like the way he presented his sermons. I also thought he covered really difficult topics yet spoke really well on them.

Hmm...what else...

Oh yeah, I saw one of my good friends there, who isn't Christian, which was really awesome.
Cause yeah, he didn't seem the kind of person to be on a Christian camp, so good on him.

And to finish it off, the last night I helped out with security, so we chased and caught a few "grundy-runners" and told people off for staying up late. Gate security also caught lots of people trying to get through, but unfortunately we didn't catch the people letting off the sparkler bombs. To put it fairly though, they make a boring job fun.

So that's my Easter camp, I'm looking forward to hearing yours.

About a boy

2007-03-19T03:28:00.000-07:00

Hmm, well I've been thinking about this for the past week, so I'll let it out.

Last Monday, first period at school, we were all informed of the tragic news that a year 10 boy at our school had committed suicide in the weekend. It struck us all pretty hard, I think. And I spent the whole of first period just thinking about what drove the guy to do it. It just made me really sad, to the point where I thought I was about to cry. I started asking myself what in his life could have been so bad, that he couldn't handle it any longer. I thought maybe it was because of what our school had or hadn't done to help, or notice that he was in such a state. I didn't know the guy at all, but from what I was told, his father had committed suicide in the same way 2 years beforehand, which must have really been hard on him. I felt that our Christian group at school could have done something to prevent it. I still can't understand and possibly never will how that boy felt, and how it'd messed him up. But I can't help but feel that much more could and should have been done to support him.

Earlier this year, one of my best friend's mother died. It was a really hard thing to go through, as I've known him since I was about 6, and knew his mother really well. I didn't really know what to say when I found out, but sent a card to him a few days later. I think that it's one of the hardest situations to be in, not knowing what to say, or how to say it. And the biggest problem is that most people don't say anything at all because of it. But I think we must comfort people who have lost someone close, we can't just ignore it, we have to support them and comfort them in their time of loss. The best thing they can have is the support of family and friends.

I can't help but feel this may have been what drove the boy I mentioned earlier to committing suicide. I think that when his father died it must have been a hard time for him, and he may not have received the support he should have. Suicide is a very serious thing, and I think a lot of people who have been in difficult situations have it on their mind. But it's never the answer, it only leads to more grieving for family and friends. I've kind of rambled on a bit, but I do want to pray for that boys soul. I pray that God has mercy on his soul, for he faced a situation in which he couldn't handle and that he has found the peace he couldn't find here.

Never ignore God

2007-02-15T02:48:00.000-08:00

Often I pray for a certain wound to be healed, but it doesn't ever heal. I realized that God told me what to do a long time ago, I just ignored Him, thinking I could do it my way. It doesn't work like that. A famous band once said "sometimes you can't make it on your own." These words are so relevant to life and so true. Often we think if we go our own paths with a little assistance from God, we think things will work out best. This is what I thought and did for a long time, and sadly, up to this day, have still been doing. Well, it's time to change, because there is only one path we can take. God's path. we can't walk our path with God's help. We have to walk God's path if we want Him to help us.

Parachute!

2007-01-23T04:01:00.000-08:00

Few days remain and I'm yet to start packing, but I'm really looking forward to seeing bands such as My Life Story and Thousand foot krutch. Oh yeah, and Detour180!! However, I heard some terrible news regarding the parachute cd and a parachute fanatic. It seems this unnamed person seems to be repeatedly skipping song number one; Move - Thousand foot krutch. A crime of the highest degree, you might say. My prayers are with this unnamed person.

Aside from that tragic news, I'd like to thank all the people who donated money and/or/are helping/have helped to send us up to parachute on Friday! Thanks to mum too :D

Happy new year

2006-12-28T04:03:00.000-08:00

So the days have past again lacking posts. How time flys...I continue to stagger along this broken road I've come to know as life. Is there a light at the end of the tunnel ? I know not. But excitements do come as I eagerly await Parachute and a trip to Aussy. I had a good Christmas, sharing with those who mean much. But alas, it sadens me as I realise what Christmas today has become. To many now, Christmas means presents, gifts, santa and sadly, a time to party till you're completely "wasted". It moves further and further away from the truth - Jesus' birth.

I did have some delight as Christmas approached, though. While working at the Christmas Journey in town, I had a long chat to a man from Greece. He spoke only a little english but offered meaning to what he had to say. He talked of Greece, and how they didn't really celebrate Christmas as we do. In Greece, Christmas doesn't involve giving gifts, or sitting on santa's knee. They just celebrate with a massive family meal, perhaps the most important thing. He continued to go on, saying he thought it was much better that way, as there was no stress involed - no stress of buying gifts and what-not. At first I thought he was putting down our Christmas, but as half an hour passed, He did manage to change that first thought. He said that giving was also important but the stress of buying presents now makes Christmas a stressful time, and to him - not worth it.

I'm not saying don't buy presents, because I think everybody enjoys giving and receiving gifts. I just want to put forward the idea that it doesn't matter so much what you give or get at Christmas, just remember why God gave us Jesus - Love. So at Christmas time, spend it with the people whom you really care for, and thank God for Christmas.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Exams -.-

2006-11-20T01:06:00.000-08:00

Yup, it's that time of the year. The joyous time of studying for exams! So basically I fulled my weekend and earlier today with studying for physics! -.-
I had my physics exam this afternoon, and I think it went alright. Some parts were really, really difficult. I just hope I got them right, as I'm wanting good results from physics...

But there's so much more to look forward to in the rest of the week. It's a bundle of fun, with english on wednesday and accounting on thursday morning. So I'll be spending all my time on accounting as I'm really, really bad at it. English should actually be alright, though, as I like english.

Then the lineup for next week is japanese and mathematics...But on the same day! :(
On a positive note, I am really looking forward to the holidays, as it offers many fundraising oppourtunitys (Parachute, yeah-ya!!).
But yeah, basically, I can't wait till it's holidays! :D

§ï∫εηçë

2006-10-27T02:10:00.000-07:00

I havn't got a lot to say today, so I'll leave you with one of my favourite all time songs.

Blindside - Silence

They won't see the fire you have lit inside of me
They look up to the stars and wonder where you might be
They look up without realizing they're standing in the palm of your hand
I can't explain or understand
I just love you

It's common knowledge that you've been dead for a while
It's well known that the cross is only a burden with pains and trials
But then again how come my shoes are so light
How come I can walk for miles
And still just love you

So I think I'll stay
Caught up in a silent prayer
'Cause I believe in silence
Our hearts speak the same word
So why don't we just walk along
The shoreline with our silent song
'Cause I believe in silence
Our hearts speak the same word, the same word

We have to prove that our love is real over and over again
But let them think what they want 'cause I know it will never end
Because I know when it began
And my heart still beats twice as fast whenever you walk by
'Cause I still love you

So I think I'll stay
Caught up in a silent prayer
'Cause I believe in silence
Our hearts speak the same word
So why don't we just walk along
The shoreline with our silent song
'Cause I believe in silence
Our hearts speak the same word, the same word
The same word, the same word, the same word

So I think I will stay
Caught up in a silent prayer
'Cause I believe in silence
Our hearts speak the same word
So why don't we just walk along
The shoreline with our silent song
'Cause I believe in silence
'Cause I believe in silence
'Cause I believe in silence
Our hearts speak the same word, the same word.

lyrics from: http://Renewed-Hope.bebo.com

Apologies to all

2006-10-23T03:21:00.000-07:00

I don't have the time to add my Japan photos tonight, or tomorrow night. So I'll have to add them either on Wednesday or Thursday.

I also want to say that our mission to rescue Edson was a great success. For those of you who didn't know, we left Edson at Mt. Hut Retreat yesterday after youth group camp. We were unaware that he wasn't with us as we left, and little did we know he was actually being held hostage. After we broke into the building through an open window, we found him and freed him. But as we tried to escape, some armed terrorists started shooting at us. We managed to gun them down and dive into an escape van. There were only two casualties, which were the two terrorists who held Edson against his will. They had locked him in a toliet cubicle, which we suspect had been used earlier by Warwick. Sadly, Edson is too traumatized to speak at the moment but he remains in one piece.

Also later on in the day, we met our final challenge on the road to manhood. We had to jump into a frozen cold lake at the bottom of a waterful, and be fully submerged in water. I'm glad to say we all passed the test, even though we all screamed like girls when we came back to the surface.

Well, it's that time again. Night everyone.

Good evening.

2006-10-22T03:39:00.000-07:00

Yeah, so basically I havn't posted for over half a year. But yeah, basically I was just uhh... really, really busy. So now that's all cleared up, I do have stuff to say!

As the few of you who read this blog will know, I stayed in Japan for 3 weeks, and got back a little over a week ago. To put it briefly, I had an awesome time over there, and it was great to experience the Japanese culture, which I've been wanting to do ever since I began learning Japanese. So, the food? Well, the food was really interesting. Some was nice, some was odd, and some was just really not my cup of tea. The food we ate at my homestay is about the most detailed food that I can remember. We had a feast each meal, and I ate over double of what I would usually eat. But surprisingly I managed to lose 3kgs while I was over there, due to their healthly food.

Anyways, For breakfast, we ate rice, fish (mainly salmon), Toast, egg, and misoshiru (more commonly known as miso soup, which I HATE!) and tofu. So yeah, lunch also included rice, various meats (both raw and cooked), Veges, egg, salad, fried tofu, and various other things that I can't remember. Tea was similar to lunch, and included miso soup. We had a few stew type things aswell which were really nice! Though they had lots of shrimp and other dodgy seafood in them. But yeah, our meals were really nice!
And also, yes Japan does have Mc Donalds, but it's fairly similiar to here. You have the same type of burgers, drinks, fries etc...

Aside from the food, I had a really enjoyable time visiting shrines, beaches, temples, the Hiroshima peace museum, and shopping. I took some photos that I may add later on if I have some assistance.

Anyway, now's where I jump forward a week and a bit in order to reach today.
So here we go... I had an awesome time at youth group camp, as I'm sure most did :D
I really liked hearing Christoph's testimony and his other sermons. Another totally awesome time was when we prayed for the Holy Spirit to come into our lives. Our group prayed for what I think was a long time, but am not fully sure as the time was not important. Some of us felt the presence more than others, which was cool. The youth leaders really deserve a pat on their backs for their awesome efforts in praying for everyone.

Aside from that, I enjoyed what Jo had to say about Christianity, And I did suspect him of being my angel... So yeah camp gets the big thumbs up from me, and I hope to be there next year :D

Anyways, I must hit the sack so good night to all of you, even Edson.

School, work and Easter camp

2006-03-10T00:00:00.000-08:00

Easter camp! It's coming up fast!
I was really glad to see in our school notices that the first notice on the list was
advertising Easter camp 06. That is really awesome as Cashmere is far
from a Religious school. It's also really great to see Spreydon youth leaders constantly
showing up at our school. They often come to play sports and help fundraise for various
things. They also have a lot to do with our school events.

School - This week has been a pretty full on week for me. It started off with our English
static image assesment which we have to work on at home. It's worth like 3 credits, but as I worked Tuesday and Wednesday I didn't have a whole lot of spare time. Also, today we had our Algebra maths exam worth 4 credits...So basically I've spent this whole week working and revising...

I'm also looking foward to my birthday, which is in 12 days :D

My day

2006-02-26T23:10:00.000-08:00

Well today was a fairly average sort of day, hot, boring, and good to get home.
The day started off at 7.30 in the morning when my alarm woke me up and I started to get ready for school. I was completly knackered as on friday i'd been practicing Cricket in the nets for a few hours and played sports all day Saturday. Luckily I got a ride down the hill to school, but felt too tired to work, due to the heat and my exhaustion. I did manage to do a lot of Accounting and English work, though as I was walking to English a teacher confiscated my shoes for the day. -.-
Anyway after another boring period of Maths I had my most feared period - Japanese. Most of you won't know my struggle with passing Japanese last year, as it was due to having a teacher who disliked me immensely and failed me on two internal tests that I should have passed. This year I have a much better teacher, but last year was difficult to learn with the teacher I had, so I struggle with Japanese now. The period, surprisingly was ok as I managed to complete the majority of my homework. The one good part about learning Japanese this year is that I get to go to Japan in september. I'm really looking forward to it, as i've never been there and Japanese culture interests me.

That's about all I have to say about my day, as since i've been home i've been too tired to do anything of interest.

A little bit about myself.

2006-02-19T23:42:00.000-08:00

Today was so hot! It must have been like 30 degrees. Far too hot for school anyhow. Yes this is the first time i've created a blog, and my first post at that. For those of you who don't know who I am, my name is Mark. I live in Christchurch, which is located in about the eastern middle side of the south island, New Zealand. I'm in the sixth form at school, which is year 12 (Second year of NCEA). My interests include; Computers, Sports (cricket, soccer, rugby, tennis) and Mongooses :). My plans in life are to become a Lawyer/Game designer or study animals.

I'm also a big fan of rock music. Such bands include; Lifehouse, Switchfoot, Linkin Park, Good Charlotte, 3 Doors Down, Day Of Fire, Creed and various other Christian and non Christian artists.
If you Havn't heard of the two greatest bands in the world (Switchfoot and Lifehouse), I suggest you buy/borrow some of their CD's. They are truely awesome and their songs are very meaningful. I believe we can all, to an extent, relate to a lot of the lyrics in their songs.

When i start to get the hang of this Blog thing, i'll try to post up the lyrics to their best songs :)

Anyhow i'd better get back to doing some homework, as i have a fair bit of it :(

For those of you who wish to contact me, add me at supersayian_mongoose@hotmail.com

Mark.