An Article I Wrote For The School Magazine

Great Things Happen When We Believe

It almost felt like a dream, a fantasy that could only happen in lives of the talented and gifted. No, it could not be possible; to be given the luxury of a free plane flight across half the world; to be blessed with an opportunity to do, see, hear and feel things that I have only dreamt about; to be an honorable guest of the one of the world’s most renowned and historical university; to be referred as the representative of “Malaysia” alongside only the finest young speakers of other countries. No, that could not be for real.

My name is Bong Yang. I started college in TARC just like any one of you in 2008. I used to gaze upon the fluently articulated emcees during Mass Call and thought how great it would feel like to be able to speak so wittily to such a big crowd. I admire the seniors that greeted us during our first days of college who shared their success stories, of how possible it could be to both excel in studies and also be champions in other activities. I was truly inspired, but never thought it was possible. Success stories were for a few, I was just another freshman among the thousands of others. Why would I be the successful one?

The years went by as college life molded me to start believing and dreaming big. Even so, I had no idea something bigger than my dreams was coming my way. I was told by Ms. Val, my English lecturer that there was an English examination from Cambridge and the International winner would get an MBA scholarship. I actually broke out in laughter. It sounded so bizarre and farfetched that I thought I should definitely give it a try.

Bizarre indeed it was. Being one of the highest scorers of the examination, I was invited to the “National Level Cambridge English Speaking Competition” that was coincidentally held in that exact hall that I first dreamt of speaking on stage. The winner of the competition would be flown to Cambridge in UK to compete for an MBA scholarship. It was unbelievable. I held on tight to my guts, surrendered the rest to God and enjoyed my brief moment on stage. The next thing I know, they were announcing the winner and I heard my name and went up stage. I didn’t really know what was happening back then, probably looking back now, it was simply too good to be true. Cambridge? Really? Where in the world is Cambridge?

+Photo with the judges after winning  the National Level Cambridge English Speaking Competition in TARCollege

Cambridge is 80km north of London, says Wikipedia. On the 4^th of July, I arrived in London after a 12 hours flight.  A RM500 taxi ride brought me to Cambridge (Cambridge paid the bill) where Isaac Newton and many other scientists that we never bothered memorizing from out text books used to study and do their research.  Cambridge was really a great host, having given a room to myself and abundance of food to enjoy, I was prepared to face the competition!

The competition came swiftly the next day while I was still jet-lagging. The finalists were required to present a speech about “The economic impact of Olympics towards its hosting country”, an impromptu speech and a Q&A Session.  The crowd roared when I ended my speech. Be it out of passionate cheer or plain courtesy, I walked off knowing I gave my best. Before the announcing of the results, many from the crowd came to me and commended on my presentation. It was a little overwhelming as the comments they gave sounded pretty conclusive. However as they announced the winner, my name was not mentioned this time.

+ Presentation during the competition

Although disappointed, I knew winning was not the most important thing. The experience of being in an International competition was fulfilling in itself. Having given the chance to see the world and travel the UK was amazing, especially when you have a passion for photography.

One of the most rewarding experience was the honor to mingle with the finalists from different countries. All of them were champions from their country, fluent in their language, sharp in their thinking and ability in articulating their thoughts. It was indeed satisfying to be competing as well as befriending them.

+New found friends from different parts of the world

We were all like little ambassadors of our country. Through each other we learned of the history, culture, happenings as well as the concerns of the very people of each country that the media would never tell. The differences in values, belief and manner were very tangible but yet through that I learned to honor and respect differences, to embrace unity in diversity and not conformity. Being able to know one another and share thoughts and ideas definitely widen our perspectives that so often bound us to a limited world-view.  The world indeed is much bigger than the one we see through our lenses.

Truly, from a freshman who thinks he would have to helplessly live an ordinary life to one that has been sent overseas to speak on behalf of Malaysia, sounds too good to be true, a fairytale-liked dream that could only happen to the very few gifted and talented. The truth is who says fairytales cannot come true?  Every one of us are gifted in our own ways, we have talent buried inside of us that yearns to show up. The last thing we would want to do is to think small of that God-given potential, much like me when I first joined college, and thank God that He totally ruined my plan of being mediocre an ordinary.

“And these signs will follow those who believe” Mark 16:17

Let’s not give up on the dreams that we use to have, or the dreams we do not dare to dream.

Let’s start thinking and dreaming big again, because great things happen when we start to believe!  

Loves,

Bong Yang

给热爱摄影的你

利物浦火车站

All things shall be added to you

Its a shiny Tuesday morning. As I munched the left-over Oreo's from the Singapore trip with a messy cup of powdered milk in front of the laptop, I just felt the urged to express the awesomeness of this God I believe in.

4 years ago, around this time of the year was a tough time for the 18th year old me. Being thrown and torn between choices of further education, I was deeply shattered when I was told my dream occupation wasn't going to be realized- Architecture. Above it all, growing up with parents that had overseas education with one even spending more than half a decade somewhere far flung from the homeland, I assumed I was going to be just like them. I will be having friends of different nations going for road trips on weekends or sharing dinner with dishes of all nationalities in a warm fire-lit apartment during winter.

However reality was even though one of a twinning college was desperate of offering me a Diploma scholarship which then will lead me to Melbourne University 3 years later, a painful decision was made to forgo that dream option for financial reasons.

Hence I came to this random-never-heard-of college which was too far away from what I've always expected, bitterly. Back then all I do online is blog and read blogs, which kennysia.com was one of my tophits. And all this guy does is travel, travel and travel. And with such influence, I was really bitter. It may sound a little childish but imagine growing up hearing stories of overseas studies, the huge late-night library trips camping amidst books that smells of its age, the summer break holidays in all its excitement; and with all the expectation building up like a big diamond ball, which looks too beautiful only to be smashed right back to the floor.

Wells I'm just writing how I felt back then. I'm way over all this emotional cocos. 4 years later, I've never been so grateful for being able to finish my studies in this random-never-heard-of college that I once thought and there is no place I rather be than in this part of the country. With the friends I've made, the great life I've been having, and the God I've encountered. Strange thing is, just when I've settled with myself that I'm really fine staying in Malaysia for the rest of my life having no regrets and bitterness for no overseas experience, things start happening...

2 years ago around this time as well, Mum bought me a return flight to Australia, the land I was supposed to go if I were to be studying Architecture in Taylors, just one year earlier! I travelled around the Kangaroo Land for a month taking photos around the vicinity of Melbourne and Sydney. I went to that renowned University that I've dreamt of studying at, walk around the gardens and sit in one of its lecture. It was an amazing experience indeed, just when I thought I had no opportunity to go overseas.

2 years later, the whole family renewed/made their passports for a family trip to New Zealand for 2 weeks driving along the coastal scenic lines. Cramming in bedrooms, eating peaches everyday and barbequeing dinners together. I honestly never expected this to come to pass seeing the fact that the family has always been extra careful with huge spendings. I mean, I've heard of other families having family trips (I have a friend that travels to at least one country with the family each year) but my family?? WOW. Just when I thought I had no opportunity to go overseas.

One year from now, I'd HAVE TO go to Birmingham for my Masters programme, which was never in the plan since the beginning of college. I'm actually excited not over the overseas-euphoria, but the fact that I'm going this time just because I have to. Bill Johnson puts it best, "God is so awesome that sometimes He skips all your prayer list right down to something you never prayed for but don't mind having".

And just when you think this is the end of the story, here goes a super random thing that just redefines the person I believe in.

In the midst of my last semester, one of my lecturer rang me up and asked whether I would like to go for an English test, "which is kind of like IELTS but its from Cambridge" says her. Well I thought I don't mind having an extra qualification, and since the college is paying for everything, why not? I thought I was real lucky to be called since there is tonnes of students in college that has better command of English than me, but so happen this lecturer only got to choose a handful of students she knew, I happen to be one of them.

So i went for the exams with a bunch of others. It wasn't a tough level English test because the name was- FCE (First Certificate in English). I didn't really prepared much after I saw the name of the exams. haha. Afterall all we need is a pass to get that certificate.

Months later, the lecturer rang up and told me my exams result. I apparently done pretty well (94/100) which I never thought of because I knew I could pass but never expected something like that. She told me to be in touch because my scores qualified me for a public speaking competition. I really do love speaking in public so I rang up the phone and just smile.

1 week ago, right before going to Singapore (just when I thought I had no opportunity to go overseas.) to attend "Kingdom Invasion Conference" I checked my gmail and found out the details of the public speaking competition which made me laugh and laugh and laugh in joy towards this amazing God that just love to spoil you with things:

Cambridge ESOL Public Speaking Competition

Date: 12th April 2012

Time: 930AM-1230AM

Venue: Random-never-heard-of College

No. of Participants: 7

Top Prize:

Air ticket to CAMBRIDGE for the International Finals

And just when I thought I had no opportunity to go overseas

Canterbury Plain

"A smile can do wonders, and the best part of it is it cost us nothing to give"

-Anonymous

Saw this while browsing through the funny gift cards on a shelf in one of the many mushrooming souvenir shop in Franz Josef. It just baffles me of how the simplicity of a line of words hidden among stacks of cards can carry so much impact and importance of what the world needs today.

It was in one of the many motels that we stayed in during the holiday where me and my brothers camped out in the TV room watching a Christian sermon late at night. The young skinny looking preacher was talking about wisdom. "Wisdom from the bible talks of right standing with God, self and people. It basically means, being human".

Sometimes, we really just forget about being who we are, if we actually knew who that is. We be who people think we are, we live in impressions of people or the unsound expectations of others. We may even grew up being sculptured by the erosion of false humanity definitions, of first impressions over character and pleasure over honor, responding to situations and making decisions based unknowingly on the presumptions of the world. Slowly, we numb ourselves to our own heart, that which makes us who we are. I wasn't immune of this, at all.

The 2 weeks get-away cannot be more timely. At the crossroad from a college student life to beyond. It was like a great big window, with the inside as what I knew and who I am; and the outside as things yet to explored and he who I would be. It gave me the time and space to ponder over the experiences, my character and life values that I accumulated through the past; the time needed for me to pick up myself to move on to another unknown phase of life, into things unfamiliar with, unheard of and unseen before; the courage needed to dream and dream big; and the faith I need to decide to climb, outside that window eventually into endless possibilities.

Truly it was a great holiday. Not only was I enjoying the post-cardish sceneries, the self-cooked lamb chops which unlike Malaysia are not available in frozen pieces, the priceless moments with the family, but it was as well a wonderful time with me, my thoughts and God. We spent a lot of time talking. It really does feel like those vintage music videos where you're in a travelling vehicle, with breathe-taking landscapes zooming by your window and all you cared about was your pen and notebook, losing yourself in your thoughts.

Human came from somewhere and I for real would definitely not accept the theory of having monkey great grandfathers. After all it's just a theory. Humans came from the wildest imagination, beliefs and thoughts of the greatest inventor, God. He had us in mind and a desire to fellowship with such living beings that were then unknown. With great love He breathe His life into a new creature and created humans. Well the rest of the story we all knew, humans departed from His Creator and started life by himself. And hence fast forward some thousands of years, we have now a society that tries to explain life and self from our own limited mind, coming out with things like evolution, terrorism, sexual abusiveness, suicides and among the greatest, atheism.

To be really human, and to live out that real definition of life, comes only through the acknowledgement that there is a God and a God that didn't just created us and dump ourselves to our own foolishness to kill each other but a God that actually intended since the beginning to have a relationship with humans. I know I am not immune to the lies of the world, and that this holiday getaway really plugged me out of my normal routine to think about things I would never if otherwise thought of.

To be human, "is to have right relationship with God, self and people". Ah.. The simplicity of a line of words that we overlooked or probably never looked because it was hidden behind that stacks of postcards among a hidden shelf.

I am truly grateful, to be reveal of such simple and yet wonderful revelation. That my relationship with God stands out more than the importance of my serving, my responsibilities and commitments

; that my relationship with myself should be real, that I should not be prison by the imagineries and expectations of others, but to pay close attention to what my heart is singing

; and that my relationship with people, my parents and siblings especially, are of such importance over my achievements in life. My love and laying down for the needy and down-casted, are way more important than recognition and acceptance.

Thank You Lord, that you've created humans. As complicated as we ourselves have make things to be, Your intentions never changed and for that, I shall keep that smile on me for the rest of my days.

Say cheese!

Let it be so

Transiting

January 12th - February 1st (3 weeks) -----------Kuching

February 2nd - February 7th (1 week) ----------- Kota Kinabalu

February 8th - February 14th (1 week) ---------- Kuala Lumpur

February 15th-February 28th (2 weeks) ----------New Zealand

February 29th - March 12nd (2 weeks) -----------Kuala Lumpur

March 13th - March 17th (5 days) ------------------Singapore

Got my camera in my bag and a notebook I got from Christmas, and I'm off with the Holy Spirit to take the month off. Will be thinking and praying over my future through this month before making decisions on my transit of the next phase of life.

Pray along with me?

As you go, preach this message: 'The kingdom of heaven is near.' Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. - Matthew 10:7-10

Yeah let's take this message to the ends of the world!

2012

I was never a big fan of countdowns on new years or any other occasions. The roller-coaster hype is too much to bear compared to the comfort of a chair, in front of a tele with junk food on hand; or the warm-my feeling of spending it with loved ones and God in church and the after-church food-fellowship. It has always been that way, slow and steady, warm and fuzzy :)

So when I got the job for emcee-ing a new year's countdown, in a 5 hour drive from KL, for quite a fair pay, I was puzzled in my own excitement XD

What is New Year to you?

The crowd were mostly families with children running all around. Maybe New Year's to them was a declaration of holidays and spending time together, nothing much like what I've prepared about resolutions and hope for a better year.

A bridge away from where I was, and probably the same all over the world, younger generation party hard to celebrate the passing of the old and the entering of a new and unknown year. Maybe some hadn't had a great year; some may not know what to make up of it; while some may just be overwhelmed with the past 12 months.

Marcel, had to work through the new years. He said he would have been partying as well with everyone else, but he has a family now. That's her lovely young girl whom joined him right before the countdown.

"It only happens once a year, where the hopeless can be romantic; and a resolution can become a revelation. Its about being able to do more, give more, and hope more."

New Year's Eve, The Movie

I am very satisfied with my past one year. Although there were definitely reasons to be unhappy with, the good sight of it all just overshadowed any reason to moan with. The excitement of my last year in college with an unknown future ahead has been really overwhelming, the wonderful people that keeps on being added into my close circle, the people that I've helped and helped me through the year, the miracles that I've came to know and be apart of (legs growing and blind eyes opening!) and of course that irreplaceable relationship with Him that has grown so much.

Its 2012! A year that is going to be filled with unknowns, a year right after 2011 which had the most natural disaster in history, a year which people made movies to tell of the end of the world;

But its gonna be an awesome year for sure! A year filled with surprises, a year to desire more, to hope and dream bigger than ever before, and a year to love more and forgive even more.

2012 is gonna be the bomb! And I mean it in a good way :)

Happy 2012 Everybody!!!

When in Victoria

Streets and waffle ice cream

:) i'll buy you one

Evanescene

A good way to brighten the skies, is to remember the great things, dwell in those wonderful memories for just a while, and be truly grateful for all of it :)

Gardens seem to play a big role in the cities i've been to in Australia. Everytime i browse through the city maps, they ought to be an area in green that looks relatively large compared to the city areas of buildings and junctions. I guess parks and gardens plays a certain role in lifes of these people. It's somehow a-must-go place even if you're not a fan of nature :)

I remember walking through this particular garden. Not a famous one, rather it was just a neighborhood park where people pass by each day on their way to their different roles in life.

No fancy fountains, designed landscapes, and not filled with people. School kids passes by eager for fun and excitement elsewhere, neighbors walks through because it is a shorter route, and joggers jogs by just to finish their routine.

and then, a boy with a camera walk passed, not in any rush, but waiting, to capture moments that would make the most out of the garden that he thought was beautiful. Maybe beauty really lies in the eyes of the beholder. But why would beauty slips away through time?

I believe every passer by must have fell in love with this park once upon a time. They would have really love the old trees along the walk way, or the green fields that they would lay down and talk about anything under the sun, literally, or the leaves that falls with different pace floating downwards slowly to the ground.

The park never changed, so did its beauty. The routes and paths were always there, the old trees were faithfully standing, the field stayed lawned all year round for anyone to lie down, and the sky was ever clear.

so what changed?

People used to be so in loved with a certain beauty, beholding it with much adoration. But as beautiful things keeps being available, it is being vulnerable of being used to, expected and soon, taken for granted. Humans, why are we such foolish things. Wasn't it us that wanted continuous great things and loving people showering love and showing beauty, but yet when time goes by, we got used to beautiful things and say, beauty do not last.

Yes, i believe it is just human to be so. To look beyond things and be unappreciative when availability isn't an issue. Why be so loving and available when no one appreciates?

Before leaving the park, i asked the park that question. And she told me,

"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails"

I was enlighten