Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)

John Newton, born in London July 24, 1725 is the writer of the famous hymn Amazing Grace. His father was the commander of a merchant ship while his mother educate him spiritual knowledge and guide him in Christianity. However, she passed away when John was 6 and followed his father on sailing.

John Newton:

It was then he strayed away from Christ, even saying that he don't believe in salvation. Being captured and turn into a common seaman, and finally a servant for a slave-trader, John was brutally abused. Wretch was what he claimed to be as.

Wretch: A miserable, unfortunate or unhappy person.

During a violent storm while he was steering the ship, he knew there's no way getting through it, the ship would surely sink. This was his "great deliverance", he shouted "Lord, has mercy on us", and the storm was calmed.

He retired from sailing and slave-trading in 1755 after a serious illness. He decided to become a minister and was ordained by the Bishop of Lincoln. John preached not only in Olney but also around Buckinghamshire. Besides weekly church service, he held a series of prayer meeting and soon came up with the words for Amazing Grace to remind his congregation about the great mercy of God.

Chris Tomlin who later added the chorus My Chains Are Gone for this hymn was greatly amazed by John Newton's encounters as he research about the song. Chris expressed that everyone is born to be the slave of sin or any earthly things that bound us down, that's why Jesus died on the cross to break the chain, and set us free.

Reference:
Chris Tomlin sharing about My Chains Are Gone
John Newton's story
Story of Amazing Grace (Youtube)

My version of Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone) is of course inspired by my greatest worship experience so far in ConneXion Conference 09. I'm just a beginner in blue piano, but trying to expand. Well, if Chris Tomlin added a chorus for this song, me as well added a bridge. Just trying some arrangement tricks.

Anyway, this song was supposingly done in the summer, but it dragged for 3 months. I could blame it all on the busy schedules, but I know it's mainly the issue of G.U (it's the initial, guess yourself).

Amazing Grace - Adam Jong
As usual, click on the link above with the song title to listen to the full song

Well, it was a stressful week of projects. I just can't do anything but find cure in The Lord. Wandering in front of my laptop, I opened this half-done song and completed the song in 1 night. Resting for a day, and started vocal recording yesterday night, and it lasts til 5:00 a.m. The quality is not that good as a lot of things are stirring in me. What to do... this is all I have.

"I have not lost a single one of those you gave me"
-John 18:9-

Lord, I pray that You will reveal our respective paths that can fulfill our purpose on Earth. Make us strong in what we should do and barrier us from the misleading. Yes, I am a wretch, Your amazing grace once lifted me and I thank You Lord, for all that You've done, and will do. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Monocoque Modeling 2

Yes, this is the continuous post of the previous one. After the meeting with my supervisor, he rated us (me) good job. However, he's concerned about the strength. I suggested adding the thickness (which makes my life easy during modification), but he said it'll make the thing a lot heavier... and leave it to us to figure out the solution.

It took me another tough day to modify the monocoque. Yesterday, I worked from 11 a.m (straight after meeting) until midnight 3 a.m. Of course, there're lunch and dinner break. If you wonder why it takes so long, I admit I suck in Pro/E! The modified monocoque doesn't even look any different from outer... sad.

Modified assembly:

Lets start with the front nose again. Basically, the front nose will experience a lot of direct impact at the tip, so reinforcements are most effective there. Using the same method as my Underground Storage Tank, ribs are added inside. The side rectangular hole is a space reserved for the wheel arms.

Cross-section view at the right:

I was just doing this a moment ago. When I'm doing the rib at the middle cross-section, I cut it and do reference axis for easier drawing. Then, the screen turned out to look like a fish! So I took a bit of my time to have fun with it.

Accidentally made a fish with Pro/E:

The cockpit is easy. He just wanted to minimize the stress concentration at the connecting part with the front nose. A curved rib will just do the job.

Added curved-rib on cockpit:

Here comes the most disastrous part, the side intake port. It takes the most side impact. Thus, vertical ribs are crucial. Small fillet holes are made at the back to reduce trapped air that causes drag. Because of it's irregular shape, protrusion of the ribs are really tough!

Back view and cross-section view:

Same case as the front nose. Due to different corss-section area, every rib requires a datum plane to sketch. Thus, the drawing became such complicated. Modifying this part alone took me the whole night.

Full-plane view:

After assembly, I activate all the planes to have a look how messy it was. Oh gosh, what have I just done... this is incredibly complicated. For those who are good in Pro/E, this might be nothing, but for me this is like... Wow! Undeniable, I'm mentally and physically tired but I do learn a lot more in using Pro/E.

Assembly view:


"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God."
-John 14:1-

When I became weary and exhausted, the mind will always stray further from God. But The Lord is good, he sends his servants to help you. One might not know what good deeds they have done, but by obeying the holy spirit, it helps another brother in Christ to get through. Thank You Lord for not giving us up in any condition, although we had fail You. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Monocoque Modeling

My group design project is to design a monocoque for an F1 racing car (basically it's the cover for a car). The moment I receive this title, I knew I'm gonna screw this module (I've been complaining since the beginning of this semester). Anyway, it comes to the stage where we need to model its geometry in Pro/E.

Once I received the car frame design from the other group, I started planning on how to fit my monocoque onto it (dimension adjustments). So, yesterday after lunch (2:00 p.m), I started my rough day in the TISCRA (computer lab).

Car frame did by the other group:

Using Pro/E is already a serious problem for me, but thinking of attachment method to the frame and possibility of manufacture really squeeze out the last drop of hemoglobin in me. Well, there's no due date for this but I don't like to leave it hanging... thinking of it everyday is suffering!

The part that I first complete is the front nose. This is actually the most important part as it contribute almost 70% of the aerodynamic effects. Thus, it must be done with a lot of curves, giving minimum eddies. Besides, wings and spoilers are not allowed, so the top part is curved to produce downforce for the car.

Isometric and back view of front nose:

Next, it's the cover for cockpit, where the driver sits. The modeling is easy, but the tapered angle make the thinking tough! The considerations include how to slot in the frames, how to make increasing width from bottom upwards and from front to back, and how to connect this thing to the front nose and side air intake. It's all the frame design group's fault, the frame is easy to do with angles but covering it takes forever!

Isometric and bottom view of the cockpit cover:

Furthermore, here comes the most complex part, the side air intake. It's suppose to direct air to the engine behind for cooling and combustion. This really need some brain to design. Aerodynamic effects should be applied and how does it attach to the tapered angled of cockpit side and end up straight to the engine's plane.

Isometric and top view of side air intake:

Finally, it comes to the most irritating, frustrating, tedious stage, to assembly everything together. If I don't can't match everything together nicely, I would need to modify the design (if possible) or worse, redo the part. Well, everything seems OK in assembly, just some minor errors that I need to modify a bit on the parts. So a not-so-good design is completed. Of course, there're more details to be added int he future, this will not be the final drawing.

Ready to assemble, Megazord combine!


Isometric and bottom view of the assembly:

Oh ya, the most interesting part of the day. I just left computer lab twice, for dinner and supper, and guess what time I finished everything? It's 5:10 a.m and today I still made it to the morning class. Honestly... I doubt that I slept that night.

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy, I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."
-John 10:10-

Thank You Lord for blessing us strength and will to carry on. Though the path is narrow, but it leads us to the truth. Pray that Lord You'll reveal our purpose here may we be the reflector of Your glory. Pray for the SPM candidates, may they do well in exam and not stray away from You. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Gabai Waterfall (ConneXion Outing)

We had our first outing for ConneXion Semenyih last Saturday. Out of all the places... it's Gabai Waterfall again. Not something that I'm giving much expectation since it's weekend, I knew it'll be crowded. The only thing that I can do is making the departure time early to 7 a.m!

Everyone gathered at ConneXion house on time (Haiz! Saturday also need to wake up so early). With a total of 20 students and 5 from Pastor Daryl's family and friend, it took us 4 cars (Avanza, Van, Sen Loong and Jacqueline) to get us there. I'm guiding the way, and I didn't get lost, hohoho!

I'm surprise most of them even guys found it tired to climb up the stairs. I admit it's a long way but not til the extend of exhausted I think. Thanks God it's not that crowded yet. So the first item was praise and worship session led by Audri. After that, we did some community work by cleaning the waterfall (throwing the tree branches to the sides and picking up all the rubbishes).

Honestly, it's early morning and the water is really cold! Anyway, everyone did enjoy themselves in the water. More and more people came at 9.30 a.m, it means that my decision to make it early is correct! Or else, we don't even have any water left for ourselves.

Well, we had fun in the water for almost 2 hours. Everyone's satisfied jumping, sliding, posing, taking pictures and what-so-ever. Not too tired... and there we go leaving Gabai waterfall.

Group picture:


" This is what God wants you to do: Believe in the One He has sent."
-John 6:29-

Thank you Lord for blessing us this wonderful time of fellowship. Every time when we're closer to nature, it reminds us how wonderful You created the universe. Your love is just like the waterfall, everlasting. May Your will be done and continue to guide us in our lives. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Double Dose

It was Wednesday, weekly ConneXion bible study gonna start and I'm worship leading tonight. Something extraordinary is... I'm in the worship team playing keyboard for my uni's Christian Fellowship the same night too. In case you don't know, both of them are different entity, but of course we worship the same almighty God.

I understand I shall not serve in both sides, it's just like the church-hopping scenario I had during summer. At the first place, I promised CF because they told me it's on Thursday, but somehow they're sticking back to Wednesday, which ultimately came back to the same problem - Time Clashing! I mean... they didn't force me to play, but I just wanted to help.

Haiz... actually CF starts at 6 p.m, and I have to be at ConneXion bible study at 7 p.m for practice. The good thing is, worship is always the first item in CF, so I definitely will make it. Packed up my keyboard, I'll leave it at ConneXion house and Sen Loong will drive her there.

Carrying this baby again:

I arrived CF early for practice (as I dunno what song they're gonna do). The chords are nicely printed... which is good. However, they just notice that the power cable of their keyboard is spoiled. Well, not too sad, thinking that maybe God's telling me this is not how things workout. We just have to do it without keyboard, means I don't have to play.

Poor thing! Spoiled Yamaha adapter:

Just before it started, someone came in with a substitute power cable, and the keyboard is back to action. Wow, now you tell me, what should I do :P You know me, even though I never heard the song, the chords will do the rest (I'm too used to that situation XD). Anyway, I can't deny that it's a good worship session. As the time strikes seven, I have to leave in the middle of the message sharing session.

2 guitars 1 keyboard, CF style:

It's the first time ever someone else is playing keyboard for ConneXion bible study. Thanks Jacqueline for sharing the load, and I'll be able to concentrate fully in worship leading. Legend was also playing guitar for bible study, first time! Oh Lord, I'm having a team with first timer, but they did good, real good. Praise the Lord! 24 people attended this week, a new record, huuray!

ConneXion bible study:

Phew, finally the long day finished and I just realized I skipped dinner. However, I knew this can't last like that, I need to make a choice (the world is so harsh T_T). It was a moment of frustration but thanks Shen for the dinner and some sharing, his advices lighten me up.

Ants crawling -so random XD- [click to enlarge]:


"Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up"
-John 2:19-

Lord, I pray that You reveal our respective paths of life. Through You alone we find truth and salvation, thank You Lord for all that You've done for us. Pray for Bryan, Sophia and other SPM candidates, grant them the wisdom and also may their future be in Your hands. Pray that both ConneXion Semenyih and UNMC CF will be Your dwelling place where students gather to fellowship and learn Your words. In Jesus I pray, Amen.

On Fire

In the misc of busy projects busting up my life, I'm spending a weekend at Cheras again as I'm in the worship team again. However, this gonna be an awesome Sunday, one of the most capable musician in church, Christopher Lee is leading and my team (Audri and Hinn) is playing too.

Practice was tough, we ended a little late and everyone's exhausted and hungry. So, here we are for William's BBQ party! He's doing this for his friend's birthday or whatever and invited a few of us from CBC, but none of his friends turn up... There're only him and us, so we rocked the place whole night.

Almost 10+ of us were there:

Seriously, the night was great, imagine a 15 years old boy preparing this alone. Besides, the area that we had our BBQ is where all the nice and big houses are. It feels good even just walking around the park looking at those houses.

What a great night of fellowship:

This is really something very special, on the way back from BBQ, we passed by UCSI North Wing Campus. Guess what? We witnessed fire burning UCSI's signboard. I guess it was a short circuit. If it was Nottingham... aiya... just kidding :P

Raging flame, what this uni did to their students?

Wow, here comes Sunday! This worship is really a blast. With an extra instrument that we don't usually have - Audri on the electric guitar, and me on the keyboard (doing effects) for the first song and then move to the clavi for the rest (a bit lame actually =.=). I was extra nervous that morning, most of the songs are really hard. Anyway, I think the congregation had a great worship session, the Nottingham Boys rocks! One more for Christ!

Nottingham Boys in the worship team:

I'm so glad that once again, we have new comers from Nottingham. Chris Hii, Ann and Chiaw Min came for the very first time! This week, lunch is really overflowing. I understand it's bcoz of too many ppl that they have to leave me, Ivan and Bryan behind at church, not because they forgot us! Pif~ luckily we got Stephanie and Chris picking us to lunch.

Lunch at yellow mamak:


"Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!"
-Luke 23:46-

Lord, thanks for entrusting us the holy spirit throughout the worship session. It's for You alone we did it and only You alone make us full. Lord, thanks for blessing us with more ConneXion members, and also have the heart to seek You and the truth. May You grant us the wisdom and spirit to make a difference in their lives. In Jesus I pray, Amen.

Group Design Project

If my blog hasn't been updating for about a week, it means that it had been a dreadful week for me. Year 3 has started, Final Year Project and Group Design Project are corrupting my life like like a force of charging buffaloes stepping on poor little cheesecakes!

Walking to uni early in the morning for project meeting X_X:

Oh ya, this post is mainly about my thoughts while I'm doing my Group Design Project, where the title is somehow sweet to some people but definitely not me. "Design a Monocoque for an F1 Racing Car", I was like falling into the deepest pit with black & white scene when I was assigned to it. I can't even differentiate between Wira and Saga!

Do you ever had those elementary or secondary schoolmates that start drawing during some boring classes. I have a number of them that actually love drawing race cars, they told me it's their dream to design a race car.

My initial sketches, you can laugh if you feel like:

Thinking that it's totally not my cup of tea... I can't imagine that I ended up studying a course that builds cars, being assigned to a group that is designing a car body, and being the only one in the group that contributes the initial sketches! Not mentioning it's NOT my interest to study this course, why on Earth must I be the one out of 132 people in my course to do this! Obviously there're many more out there that love doing this.

More of the awful drawings:

However, think about it peacefully... I don't think I will love doing this anymore even though I'm a car freak since it includes other stuffs. For example, how much passion will left if I'm taking the drag reduction, air intake for cooling, engine efficiency, space frame structural analysis and material selections into consideration.

Some of my childish designs:

Now I realize that it's possible to screw a dream when it becomes an occupation. So can I think positively that I'm blessed because what I love doing is not what I'm studying? At least keeping that world a fantasy because I'm not in it. Anyway, thanks God for what is given, stop complaining and just do it!

"Bless the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in highest heaven!"
-Luke 19:38-

Pray that the Lord will bless us along this busy schedule of final year. May all that we done is for Your favor and to build us as the salt and the light. Also pray that You won't let us fall out of Your glory and let You alone be the center of everything in our lives. In Jesus we pray, Amen.