What Defines Us?

To topic explains it all, when or if you’re asked the question, what would your answer be? What defines you? Simply means what are you made of? Your feelings, character, perceptions, views, family, priorities, religion, relationships, friends, action, school, institution, work, company, car, short… you name it its there.

Now here is the tricky part. If you were to identify one picture that defines you right now what would it be? Your Nike shoes? Your credit cards? Your name? Your car? Think carefully about this and be truthful… Only you will know the answer.

Now after you have the picture in hand/mind, look deeper into the small prints. What is in the background? How was the picture taken? Where was it taken? How was it taken? Who was in it? Got that? Okey, now…

Evaluate the main item… how was it made? When was it made? Were was it made? Where has it been? Immerse yourself into the item and imagine your birth to the final location where the picture was taken… not clear eh? Ok let me explain, if it was a rock, imagine how did you come about, breaking away from the mountain and moved by tractors to lorries and being pilled up, under rain and sun rolled over by cars people, get peed on by animals, kicked around etc etc….

Then now evaluate again your life, your character, your feelings, your experiences, and your relationship with the item… does this item really resemble you? If you and if you have a lil more time, re do this exercise and see if you can truly find you true mirror image…

Have fun and think with your heart…

God Bless!
Lt Timothy Chan
BB2SJ

Our Character Defines Our Actions…

Maybe it’s just a bad night’s sleep or maybe it’s me. Anyways, was reading Reader’s Digest again last night and I cam across this article about a research done by Reader’s Digest reporters all across the world. From Mexico, to Paris, to Hong Kong and Malaysia, I can’t remember how many countries there were, but basically they covered almost the whole world.

The research basically tries to seek out how honest people are. Middle ranged mobile phones were left on busy areas to see if the people who picked them up would return them. Basically, more than 60% of the world’s population had returned the phones, but there were people who did not.

They documented that many people who returned explained that they had lost their hand phones once before and went through a very tough time retrieving all the information stored and did not want others to go through the same “pain” and frustration. The second group were parents that wanted to “do the right thing” in front of their children.

One particular person caught my eye, he was a homeless man that picked up the phone and returned the phone. In the interview he said “we lose some things and we find some, but you should never lose your honesty and dignity”. Wow! I can’t say that I could have said such a thing. People argued that poverty or need would push someone to go against their morals and dignity. But in this case, I think honour and moral is still “available”. Let us all think what we would do in a situation like this.

I guess the article had a harder impact on me than I thought. I had a dream that woke me up this morning feeling worried and sad. I had a dream that I and my friend went base jumping off a building. When it was my turn to jump, I over shot the targeted landing site and thus I flew into a road and caused an accident. I pretended that it was not my fault and kept waking back and when confronted, I ran! Yes I ran! I ran as fast as I could back to the building. Then I woke up (for work la….!)

Anyways, while brushing my teeth, I recalled the article in Reader’s Digest and it struck me! Would I have run away if I was not “caught”? Would I have the guts to take responsibility of my actions? In a perfect world or in a perfect person, they will no doubt acknowledge that it was their fault. But would I have the guts? I hope for my sake, I will have the guts to stand up and face my mistakes head on with the shield of God by my hand and the wisdom of the Holy Spirit and with the Sward of Honesty by my hand (hehe… made those up… but hey! It my article and my blog).

Ask your self today, who would you be? The poor with honour? Or the rich but fallen? Don’t give textbook answer, only you will know… sometimes it maybe that only God knows…

Be Sure Be Stedfast!
Lieutenant Timothy Chan
BB2SJ

Be Ever Grateful Of Where You Are & Where You Came From

Well, it all started last night when I was “doing business” in my “throne room”. Sounds disgusting? Hang in there man! Well, I was reading this article that was talking about a mother due to financial difficulties had to use a bicycle, to bring her two daughters to school. Her daughters complained throughout the entire journey as they were ashamed of the old bicycle they were riding.

The family was living in the verge or poverty. Just so you know this happened somewhere in Selangor in the early days of our independence. The father had to work 2 jobs and still did not make enough money to feed the family. He then had to get a third job, going deep into the jungle to get bamboo and resell it to the rattan furniture makers. That was why they were unable to go to school with the family motorbike.

Back to story… they reached the school after 25 minutes and when they got off they continued to complain over the extremely uncomfortable ride. As they kissed their mother’s hands, the older child tasted salt and when she looked up, she saw that her mother was drenched in sweat.

The writer noted that how privileged we are to have cars, busses, work, food on the table and even the school that we dread to wake up for. The author mentioned that the last words muttered by their mother before they stepped into the school gates was, I don’t want you to end up like me without a proper education.

I was just reminded of how great God is upon my life. Having food on the table, family that loves me, schools to go to with teachers take the time to ensure you get a proper education. We drive around. But poor people around the world walk for hours to get to school.

How Could This Be?

Cherish all that you have!

Be Sure Be Stedfast
Lieutenant Timothy Chan

Dreaming of Dreams....

Its finally here!! my past has finally cought up to me. I had a dream last night that had both a little fear and fun. curious to know? Read on.

Just so you know, one of my greatest regret was that I did not continue my studies to get my honours. The main reason that I thought I has was that in terms of finances I could not. It was another year of studies and another RM50k. I always thought it would be a good decision as with my degree, I could have easily gotten a job and started working and paying off the money that I loaned from the bank.

But little did I know that without my honours, I was unable to get a job in any educational institution. I could not be a lecturer, tutor nor would I even apply as I did not even fulfill the minimum requirement. How sad... I have a Distinction average, but still it did not count.

Well, I had a funny dream last night. It started as me driving to my old primary school. I knew I was on the way there to further my studies. I met old teachers and seemed as if I was the oldest student there. Anyways, I walked up to the headmaster's office to get my class palcement. Guess what? There was to be an entrance exam. I also knew I would be taking up commers and economics. But when I walked into the interview room, they had test tubes and boiling colourful stuff (like from a mad scientist show). A man walked up to me and ask me for my documents.

He collected some extra materials, and then proceeded to ask me to make some formular. The thing is that I did not know how to do it. The man (possibly teacher) asked me why was I so stupid and why dint I take my honours. If I went to do my honours. I would have knew how to do it. right before I answered, all those regreats came back to me.

Why?!?!? Why dint I finish my studies with honours?!?!?! sigh.... I guess thats how life is, one wrong decision would affect your whole life. Anyways, back to the story, before I could answer him. I heard a song and I woke up. It was the sound of my phone alarm ringing.

Was thinking of it while driving to word today. What would life had been if I did complete with an honours. Well, its over and I cant take anymore, Lets see What God wants to do with me...

Thats all for today....

My First Day As A Lieutenant

Saturday, 4th August 2007, First Baptist Church, Subang Jaya – It was Enrolment and Awards Day for 2nd Subang Jaya Company, Boys Brigade Malaysia. It was your typical E&A, with the Guard of Honour to start things off when the VIP (Selangor State Commissioner) arriving and then moving on to the marching in of the colours, worship, short message by our Chaplain and then the performances from all the sections.


The Arts and Craft team led by the newly promoted Lance Corporal Julian Lau did a terrific job in developing an entire exhibition for the foyer of the main sanctuary. It comprised of videos, uniform placements, photos and statistics of the company. Their artistic capabilities were proven with the many “creative” captions and photo layouts on the boards. Their capability of compensation was also to be praised as they utilised many unwanted materials to keep costs at a minimal. The exhibition was enjoyed by all as it was something different from what we had normally experienced. The fresh layout and funky colours helped keep the audiences glues to look at every picture.


The Pre-Juniors were the first to take the stage. Their cuteness almost melted the whole crowd. Led by our very own Corporal Veronica Lok, the lil guys were great with their smiles so big that it reached from ear to ear. I think the parents were the ones who were more excited than anyone else, with video cameras, hand phones, and any recording devices, they looked like reporters trying to get a glimpse of a movie star. People were singing and we were dancing along with them. Truly it was a great performance.


Then it came! The Juniors!! Wow their song rocked! The choreography was great. I think some of the juniors were born talents, they moved with STYLE!! Singing and dancing along with the song. Some of the juniors were getting taller and taller. Led by our Private Can Su Teng, they truly blossomed into great professional dancers. I think parents become more and more “not soo excited” sure there were cameras and photos. But I think there is not much “fan” like excitement within them anymore. OR maybe they just dint want to “embarrass” their kids, by ninja jumping around to get the “perfect shot”.


Last, it was the seniors turn. This year with more and more of the older ones in College, the NCOs did a terrific job in organizing and shooting of a fun yet informative video. It starts off with our company sergeant Josef informing the recruits that they will be placed into their respective platoons. Then the war begins, with Platoon One and Two trying to impress the recruits and show off their skills, a drill competition was held. Unfortunately the nuttier and blurrer Platoon One failed miserably with failing to do basic turning movements. Their respective commanders were also given “special voices” Corporal Benjamin Jon commander of Platoon Two was given a “feminine” voice while Corporal Lim May Hsien was given a more “masculine” voice. As Platoon One failed so so miserably, they were laughed off stage. But the strong willed Corporal Lim challenged Corporal Benjamin to a face off in movement drill! THE CHALLENGE BEGINS!


Platoon One and Platoon Two finally faced off after an hour of practise. Both teams did exceptionally well (Yeah right!) but without a neutral judge, both argue that they are the winner. The Final showdown was when Corporal Benjamin was so enraged by Corporal Lim’s lack of “submission that he marched is whole platoon directly at Platoon One. The result were catastrophic. With members injured all over the helpless recruits merely ran around lost and confused till Sergeant Josef walked out and “sapu-ed” them nicely. His prep talk consisted of team work, loving each other and all those normal blah blah blah…


Finally, the two platoons marched together forming the words “BB” and the recruits making up the words 2SJ. Together We Stand BB2SJ.


It has finally reached the epic of every E&A. The awards and promotions! The Pre-Juniors and Juniors were the first to show off their drill and collection of their well deserved awards. Their cuteness was reason enough for any mistake to be overlooked by even the strictest drill officer. Their faces filled with joy and their parents’ faced filled with pride for their children.


As for the seniors, the awards were given out according to each member’s achievements. Slides of their faces and the list of awards achieved were displayed on the projector. This was the great work of another new Lance Corporal Jonathan Ng and Warrant Officer Alicia Choy. The list was long and there were about 60 members. Phew! Finally it was over!! Now to the exciting part, the PROMOTIONS!


From Lance Corporal to Corporal – First up, Corporal Ruth Choy (coincidentally it was also her 18th birthday), then Corporal Veronica Lok, Corporal Leow Ji Ming, and Finally Corporal Lye Ann Li.

As you might have already guessed from the top some of the new Lance Corporals, the newly promoted were: Lance Corporal Julian Lau, Lance Corporal Jonathan Ng, Lance Corporal Samuel Ong, Lance Corporal Kenneth Hiew, and Lance Corporal Sean Ng.


As all enrolments, new members are enrolled and for those who have served faithfully beside us through the years have also to leave us. As for this year we celebrate the faithfulness and commitments of those who have reached the end of their path with us and will begin their walks on different paths. We thank them with all our hearts for their service, love, dedication and memories. Those Discharged from service this E&A are: Corporal Michelle Lau, Corporal Lye Ann Lye, Lance Corporal Hannah Lee, Lance Corporal Grace Tan, and Lance Corporal Chai Chern Fei. We might not see them in uniform with us, but I know that they will forever be a Pioneer of Second Subang Jaya Company, Boys’ Brigade Malaysia.


Right before the closing ceremony, there was still one last hidden surprise, and it was for ME!! The announcement started with a brief mention of the works and character. At first I was quite blur, as I thought I made a mistake as the awards officer that I left out another promotion. Well, it turned out that I was not supposed to know about it. Lieutenant Timothy Chan. It came to a shock for me, and I think most of the seniors were in shock too. Warrant Officer Alicia whispered “don’t cry!” well I tried to hold it in. and I DID! It was truly a nice surprise. I had a wonderful time day dreaming while driving to dinner.


This was only the first day… In front of me, the path is uncertain and I pray to God with all my heart that I will not screw up… I sincerely, hope that what I do today will be beneficial to those around me…

Be Sure, Be Stedfast!
PIONEERS OF BB2SJ
Lt. Timothy Chan.