For we are not long here

I always had the understanding that life in the 20s is the most exciting, most interesting, and inevitably packed with constant changes. We proceed from secondary to tertiary education, some leaving home for the first time to pursue university studies. We graduate from school and step into the working world. We transit from asking for pocket money from our parents to earning our own income and supporting ourselves financially. We grow from being accountable to our parents to being responsible for our own daily lives. Relationships blossom from just friends to more than friends, and to waking up beside your spouse, the love of your life. From being lovers to being parents. And in career-wise, from a junior executive to a senior manager.

Changes. I shan't repeat the famous sayings that have become somewhat a cliche.

Within a timespan of just a short 10 years, everything in our lives will change. And when we look back... it's with amazement that I would look at my life, how far I have gone beyond what I thought I would become. Or maybe I have never really thought about what I would become; inklings and notions are just forecasts of what may and may not be...

Having almost reached half-way of this span of 10 years, I wonder how the rest of my time would unravel. People talk about reaching their goals and dreams by the time when they are 30 years old: of earning millions, buying properties, married with children, love and life... the list can go on. They beam with excitement when they share their dreams and visions, certain that they will be attaining those goals within the designated timeframe.

The richest and wisest king who ever walked this earth, King Solomon, in all his splendour and glory urged, saying, "Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, 'I find no pleasure in them' " (Ecclesiates 12:1)

He said as well, "Be happy, young man, while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see, but know that for all these things God will bring you to judgment. So then, banish anxiety from your heart and cast off the troubles of your body, for youth and vigor are meaningless." (Ecclesiates 11:9 - 10)

What is man apart from God? Desires come and go, and dreams will fade away, but what the Lord has designed for his creation will serve its purpose. We can pursue all we want, but would it matter? At the end of time, would it matter? Would wealth and fame and success matter? Yes, it would as long as you're on this earth. Yes, it would if it brings glory to God. I believe the Lord sees beyond our success; He sees deep down inside us, into our hearts.

I remember what Brooke Fraser sings in her C.S. Lewis Song: "For we, we are not long here. Our time is but a breath, so we better breathe it. And I, I was made to live, I was made to love, I was made to know You..."

This is the hope, that we are made to know Him who created us.

Melbourne Zoo

Melbourne Zoo is only 4 km away from the central business district of Melbourne. That's the wonder of it. You're hopped on a tram towards the zoo, you passed the modern buildings and architecture in the city, passed Queen Victoria Market, and the next thing you know you're going on a track towards a lush tropical park.

With more than 320 species on view, Melbourne Zoo offers a window into the diversity of the world’s wildlife. There are designated time slots each day for visitors to meet the keepers at some of the animal areas. See them feed the animal and explain about conservation projects or interesting facts about the animal.

The zoo's botanic garden setting also provides a relaxing atmosphere with a variety of landscapes, from the Victorian-era formality of the main drive to the lush jungles of the African and Asian rainforest areas.

Have a walk down nature's lane, you'll find that God is such a creative God that He even created some animals that have no apparent reason to be there. And when we look at His beautiful creation and the variety of it, wow... you'll see Him at work; you'll be amazed!

The blue frog -- looks like the colour of china porcelain. Opps... privacy invasion. XD

Looks like this lizard's body is too fat for its small legs to carry it. It's lapping on the water with its blue tongue.

Meerkats! So cute when they stand up on their hindlegs.

This looks so much like a peacock.

Ostrich holding its head up high.

Zebras have shorter necks than horses. Did you spot the giraffe behind it?

Erm... sorry, don't know the name of this deer-like animal.

Giant Tortoise with its keeper. Yes, they are huge and look like rocks, but it's real. They can grow up to 150 kg. This one's still in its teen years.

Kangaroo feeding from the trough.

Don't look at me, I'm just lying here.

Emus are like ostrich, but they don't have wings.

Here's another kangaroo. They basically just sit around, that's because they are not in the wild.

Wombat! One of my favourite animals.

Giraffes

Otters sunning themselves by the waters.

Baby elephant

Pelican

Ducks have beautiful water-proof feathers

Mum shading the gorilla

Bamboo forest

She tamed the vicious croc!

Surprisingly, they actually have signboards in Bahasa for tropical animals.

Orang Utan arts & crafts

Mandrill is bored

Lemur

Let there be a white-furred monkey.

A peacock sneeking up to people in search for food. They aren't shy or scared at all.

Little Penguins. These are a different species from the Antartic ones.

Poor bear, he's got nothing to do all day except just lying around

Stacy, reporting from Melbourne Zoo, March 19, 2009