decisions decisions...

thinking abt what course to do in uni... so i did a little research on software engineering at unsw...this is what i've got so far:

The UAI Cutoff for 2004 was 90.00 (HECS).
The assumed knowledge for the Software Engineering program is:
- HSC Mathematics Extension 1
Starting salary range: $40,000 - 50,000 per annum

What is Software Engineering?
Software Engineering is concerned with the production of large software systems that are reliable, efficient and precisely meet the requirements of their users. Software Engineers will be increasingly in demand as software becomes ever more complex and critical to our society.
Software Engineering is concerned with the processes, methods,and tools for the development of high quality software systems.Target systems may range from simple software applications tomission critical real-time systems. Software engineers work in teams to make the systems functional and reliable.
The major areas of Software Engineering include methodologies for:
- Specifying, designing, coding, and testing new software systems
- Demonstrating that a software component correctly implements its specification
- Maintaining existing systems, including correcting errors and adding new functionality
- Dealing with specialised situations such as distributed and parallel computing.

Program Outline:
Software Engineering is a four-year full-time degree program offered conjointly by the School of Computer Science and Engineering, and the School of Information Systems and Technology Management. The first year of the program provides a grounding in mathematics and the fundamentals of software engineering. The second year continues to provide core material, primarily from computer science and from information systems. The third year provides two further core courses, plus 4 electives from computer science and information systems. Each of the first three years includes two Software Engineering Workshop courses that support the more focused courses and provide an opportunity for students to put what they are learning into practice. The final year includes a major project and four further electives from computer science and information systems, and a course on professional issues and ethics.

what do u reckon?? sounds like me eh? i'm capable of the maths bit, and the software bit is what i'd like to do, and the UAI isn't impossibly high! hmm... i don't know... but it sounds very promising...

on a totally random topic- here's a little game that i've become slightly addicted to:
http://www.miniclip.com/sudoku/sudoku.htm

ppl from the past...

strange... in the space of 3 days i've met 2 people i once knew in primary school. After 5 years with no contact... suddenly i see them again...

it's always weird and slightly awkward... we ask each other how's school and what subjects we're doing... laugh a bit... then there's that horrible silence... and i look around trying hard to think of another question to ask... and eventually one of us has to go; and we both say it was good to catch up, and we'll see you later... knowing that we'll probably not see them again for another 5 years.

i always feel strange after talking to someone from primary school... just reflecting on how much everyone has changed... how much I've changed especially.

i was a bit of a brat in primary school...arrogant, proud, selfish...mean and vindictive too...bitter at my parents for changing churches, and starting at a new school in the same year- didn't have any friends except for one... but she became friends with another girl... i kept switching groups all year, and i compromised my integrity in order to fit in. i still remember in yr5 it wouldn't be uncommon to hear me swear quite frequently at school, i was rude, i gossiped abt ppl, talked behind other's backs, played nasty tricks on those i didn't like... and through it all, i was also a hypocrite. i was "christian".

But thanks be to God and his amazing grace! a fresh start at Abbotsleigh and going to EYF was what changed me. i accepted that i wasn't going back to my old church, and i moved on so that i was able to make new friends... school provided me with an opportunity to stop hanging around with the 'popular' group and instead find ppl who i could be comfortable with... and look at me now! 5 years on...God has really worked in my life and changed me...i still have many many faults and weaknesses, but with God's help i'm trying to improve, trying to live my life in a way that pleases Him.

But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things - and the things that are not - to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God - that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord." 1 Cor 1:27-31

cool!

(sooo true!!!)

less than 2 weeks till exams...

we're working hard as expected...



time well spent.

lasting impressions...

my english teacher a.k.a HG a.k.a Mercury (get it?) is the strangest, oddest, weirdest person i've ever had the good fortune to meet.

and i'm sure you're wondering what this poor man could have done to earn this reputation...well let me explain:

1. He walks like a duck. now that in itself is surely the epitomy of oddness...

2. Imagine a duck wearing a suit. no need for explanation here.

3. Imagine a duck wearing a suit with eyes that bulge like a frog. yep.

4. He sits like a girl i.e. crosses his legs

5. His hands are pure white and soft and feminine. i've never seen a nicer set of hands on any girl let alone a guy!

6. finally; on top of everything else... he has sprouting nasal hair and a double chin.

*

it's terrible! i can't look at my english teacher without bursting out laughing... it's torturous trying to ask him a question when i'm struggling to keep my face straight... everytime i look at him...the words "sprouting nasal hair!" pop into my head....

i'm sure this isn't just my experience... there are so many people out there who make quite... lasting impressions on others. =P

pray that i may declare it fearlessly (phillip jensen)

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

This was the passage (Eph 6:10-20) for a sermon that i just listened to by Phillip Jensen (on CD). it was soo awesome! i love talks that are really "chunky" - full of solid theology and challenging to the core! and this one was no exception...

His main point was that Christians are in spiritual warfare; and the devil is especially wanting to silence those who proclaim the gospel. This is why Paul asks the Ephesians to pray for him- pray that he may declare the gospel with boldness -> because Satan is trying his hardest to silence the gospel.

One of the ways that Satan uses to silence the gospel is the idea of tolerance or pluralism. In this day and age, we're meant to be "tolerant" people; accepting of others. This includes the thinking that everybody is right, that there is no absolute truth, and that all religions lead to God as long as you have enough belief. But this is wrong!

You see, the gospel is open to everybody- but they must enter through the narrow gate (Matt 7) The gospel includes everyone whether they are Jew, Gentile, Chinese, Australian... but unless they believe in Christ and this belief leads them to repentance and to change their ways...they are excluded.

It is this inclusivity and then the consequential exclusivity which offends. People are happy for us to tell them Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. But we tell them that Jesus is the ONLY way to God..and then they are offended.

Phillip also talked about the media. Everyday newspapers publish horoscopes (which are stupid and more lies by Satan!!) but they always have scathing reports on Christians. The media hates Phillip Jensen precisely because he speaks the TRUTH. click here for a report on this very sermon!

And so Phillip asks that we may pray for him- that he may declare the gospel with boldness. He is fighting a spiritual battle against Satan who is always trying to silence the gospel and its saving power. But he are not alone. And neither are we when we tell our friends about the gospel!

theo-what? theoooology...

this year i've been doing the 'Introduction to the Bible' correspondence course from Moore College. and tomorrow i'll be taking the 2hour exam...so this week i've studying hard by doing practise papers....

it's been a really great course to do- it has greatly helped to solidify and grow my understanding of the Bible as a whole (in fact; it's a great accompaniment to the MasterPlan studies we're doing at EYF) and of course i'm hoping to do well in the exam- but i'm not really stressed about it, because i know in the end the main benefit i'm going to receive is greater depth of knowledge about the Bible and God's plan of salvation. and that's fantastic!

it's just amazing to know that the Bible was written over a period of 1600 years..and yet it has one central theme running through it all- God's plan to reverse the effects of humanity's rebellion and draw people back under His rule to experience the blessings of that rule.

i think it's really important to always be learning and growing in our understanding of God's word. not only through quiet times, bible studies at EYF, sermons at church, lessons at sunday school- but through things like this course, and reading christian books, and listening to christian sermons and talks on CD's and tapes.

i'm lovin' it...

this is a picture of a poster of everyone in Abbotsleigh - as you can see, taken on Abbotsleigh's 120th birthday! the actual poster itself costs $50 and since as true azns we're really cheap, i just took a photo of it instead.

but looking at this photo, i have to say that i really do love Abbotsleigh. now, you wouldn't normally hear this as we're always ranting on about how expensive the school fees are and how crappy the food is that they serve etc etc... but when i think about it; i am very thankful and glad to be at my school.

back in primary school, it was so strange; everyone couldn't care less about their school, or uniform or anything..i suspect this may still be true in public schools..but for some reason, when people go to private schools- they feel proud of it, almost in a patriotic sort of way. Which explains the whole rivalry between private schools (like how Abbotsleigh is WAY BETTER than PLC, everyone knows that!)

for me, i love being at Abbotsleigh. i love the whole tradition, the heritage that we have, i love knowing the campus like the back of my hand, i love it all. it doesn't really matter what rank we get for HSC, what our inflation rate at the canteen is... that's not what Abbotsleigh is about. There's a real sense of community, of friendship and of Christian love that acts out in deeds of service to others.

no matter what: i'll always be an Abbotsleigh girl =)

feelin' like a cup of tea...

how can i describe what i'm feeling at the moment? a bit nostalgic, perhaps...

what i'd really like is to be able to sit down at some nice cafe, order a hot cup of english breakfast tea and just chat; without having to worry about the time or going anywhere...

in fact, it's been quite a long while since i've had a D&M (deep and meaningful)with someone - i've missed having that.

been thinking a lot lately...weird stuff like wondering if other ppl my age think as much as i do, and thinking abt the sort of person that i am and things like that. the more i think abt people and their characters, the more i realise that you can't describe someone truly in a few words. there is so much more to a person than meets the eye.

me, for example: so called the "nerdy one" well, i admit that's true, but i wouldn't describe myself like that. I've always believed myself to be a person of substance; of strong convictions that i hold to; i think of myself as a fighter, one who doesn't quit but perseveres on.

it's strange...sometimes i look at myself in the mirror, and i don't recognise me. after all; who is Valerie? i'm the smart, studious schoolgirl from Abbotsleigh... i'm also the rebellious teenager wanting independence... i'm also a girl teetering on the edge of adulthood, unsure of what's ahead... and yet i'm also a lonely soul searching for love and acceptance.

my life has not been a LPW (little princess world). i don't know what other ppl see, but i know myself how many struggles i've been through, how many times i have to pick myself up again and again; determined to continue.

i've always been..different..separated, ever since i can remember. and having been betrayed twice by people who i thought were my "best friends", i'm scared of rejection; i don't want to have to go through that pain again. i've always tried to "fit in", always wanted to be normal, to be accepted...i suppose that's why i treasure my friends so much; coz i know all too well the feeling of being left out, of being the outsider, the stranger.

there's so much more to people than meets the eye.

and we very rarely find out the real person...a lot of the time i believe we just see a mask that they put forward to the world. how often do we talk about who we are, where we've come from, our fears, aspirations, dreams, and desires? no, instead we hide our inner selves deep down, never to share it with anyone...

these thoughts and more swirl around and around in my head; wish i could share them with someone, someone willing to talk about stuff that's real, stuff that's deep.

i am absolutely furious!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OK.... this is going to be a very frustrated-sounding post. I have just heard some things that made my blood boil and made me want to scream. seriously.

apparently, in Physics, that teacher Mr Sainty (who shouldn't even be called a teacher coz he can't teach!!) made the following statements:

1. God in the Old Testament is a different one to the God in the New Testament
2. Genesis was written by the Babylonians; it's only a myth they made up.
3. The Bible shouldn't be read literally; it is only an "interpretation" of God
4. Science has greatly advanced our understanding of this world- and therefore the Bible is unreliable because it "contradicts" the evolution theory.

Quote: "I used to struggle between being a Christian Studies teacher and a Science teacher; about how they could be both right; but now that I've realised these things I'm at peace with it."
Unquote.

AAAAAAARRRRRGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

the worst bit is: HE'S A CHRISTIAN STUDIES TEACHER!!!!!!!!
AND HE'S BASICALLY MADE UP HIS OWN RELIGION....

*angry breathing* i wasn't actually in the class- otherwise i'd probably have exploded by now...

ghastly weather

today's skies were so gloomy... not exactly the nicest weather: half the day cloudy, half the day sunny- and all together waay too windy!

i think people are more prone to get sick when it's like this- coz it's too hot to keep their jacket on, but it's too cold to take it off, and the constant changing between hot and cold is bad for one's health...

combine that with a bit of stress, sleeping late and working hard; i have a feeling there's going to be a cold/flu travelling around soon...better stock up on vitamin C and sleep!

get well soon Ed and Joyce!! (good to see u back at school today Helen ^^)

oh and a very happy 19th birthday to Wing-Kei tomorrow!!!

freeeeeeeeeeeedom!!!!!!!!

CHEM TRIALS: OVER!

TO DO: ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!

FEELING: FANTASTIC!

GOING TO: LEARN/PRACTISE GUITAR

REASON: BECAUSE NOW I CAN DO WHATEVER; I HAVE "FREE" TIME

there's gotta be more to life!!!!!!!!!!

- RICE RALLY 2005 -

ABSOLUTELY AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!

for the ongoing count on how many people were saved last night click [here]

*

We arrived at Town Hall Station at around 5:50pm, then we headed to Fujiya for dinner. The food was great, but the service was terrible!! So i suggest you don't go unless you look rich, otherwise the waitresses will ignore you...







We hurriedly gulped down dinner (finished at 6:55) and seriously raced/bolted/sprinted all the way back to Town Hall. i think we must've looked like real idiots running for our life's worth down George Street. BUT - we made it to Town Hall at about 7:03 huffing and puffing and almost collapsing from more exercise than we've done all week.

We were ushered into Town Hall, i was very impressed with all the "security" guards...especially Ed, i reckon he could've taken on any terrorists one on one! The atmosphere in the Hall was electric, over 1200 youth crammed in together, with the band going strong in the background, familiar faces everywhere - everyone was getting so pumped up for RICE!



Everything ran so smoothly it was fantastic - the games, the skits, the music, the testimonies... all leading up to the talk by Al Stewart. I really loved the theme this year: there's gotta be more to life. So true!! "there's more to life than trials and HSC" (Melody, CY, yr12) YOU GO GIRL!! that sentence made me want to chuck away my chem notes and go up and hug her!

You see in the end, everything we've ever achieved, our HSC marks, our uni grades, our successes at work - it all amounts to a nothing. absolutely nothing. when we die, only one thing will matter - our faith in Jesus. There's more to life than looking good, being rich, and being successful.

If we try to hold onto our life by rejecting God's way - we will lose our life in the end.
If we give our life to Jesus and live God's way again - we will have eternal life.

So what's holding us back from giving our lives to Jesus? If you have given your life to Jesus, how are you showing that through the way you live now, the way you talk, the decisions you make?



RICE was unforgettable. Not because so many youth went, not because of all the music, skits, games, and testimonies, not because it was so much fun, not because it was so well organised, not because of the youth groups expo...no. It was an unforgettable experience because Jesus Christ and the gospel of salvation was preached and proclaimed boldly. It was because people's lives were changed forever last night as they accepted Jesus as their Lord and Saviour. It was because God was at work, changing people's hearts, opening their eyes and ears to the truth.

"Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!" Rev 7:12

ready to rice?

RICCCCCCCCCEEEEEEEEEEEE

this.is.gonna.be.HUGE!

Saturday 6th August 2005
7pm - 9:30pm
Sydney Town Hall

So come on down everyone tomorrow night to this place:

(without the Christmas tree though..not quite the right time of year yet!)

hehe...

You scored as Hermione Granger. You're one intelligent witch, but you have a hard time believing it and require constant reassurance. You are a very supportive friend who would do anything and everything to help her friends out.

Hermione Granger		75%
Ginny Weasley		70%
Ron Weasley		65%
Remus Lupin		65%
Albus Dumbledore		65%
Severus Snape		55%
Sirius Black		55%
Harry Potter		50%
Draco Malfoy		40%
Lord Voldemort		35%

Your Harry Potter Alter Ego Is...?
created with QuizFarm.com

phew! i would've been worried if i got Lord Voldemort...

unexpected =)

usually I hate wednesday mornings. reason for this is because on wednesdays, I have to wake up at 6:30 instead of at 6:50 so I can get to school early for extension class... if there's anything worse than going to school at 7:30am is the fact that it's winter and my bed is oh so warm...

but, this morning I got something unexpected...

I look out the window every morning to see the sunrise...and this morning it seemed like God was saying to me:

"Good morning princess! Do you like the sunrise I made for you? Love, your heavenly Father."





"It was magnificent...Thanks God for putting a smile on my face this morning... Love, Valerie"

The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Psalm 19:1

driving is...[insert word here]

yesterday afternoon after church, my dad took me driving. I drove from Eastwood to Blacktown (taking the freeway along the way...i went at 80 km/h!! that's the fastest i can go as a learner) then back to Cherrybrook... driving is fun; and for me it represents freedom...

BUT

when i got home, i spent about 2 hours studying for my chem trial while my parents went out. I had just finished and was about to start my maths homework as they got back. It was then that i found out that while i had been studying, there had been a terrible accident at the intersection between my street (Treetops Rd) and Country Drive... which was less than 100m away from my house.

Someone had been killed.

I was shocked... what a timely reminder that life can be so easily cut short... driving is also dangerous. It's scary to think that one slip of concentration, one moment of carelessness could potentially cost so much...

Life is precious and the future is uncertain. So make the most of it.