k.y.l.e.

Happy New Year?

2007-02-06T13:32:00.000-08:00

well... to anyone who still checks this
It has officially been a long time posting on this blog.
I can say I'm doing well, my life hasn't been great, but it hasn't been bad either. I've started my second semester of my second year at Dordt so I'm almost half way done with school. I'm still in a band, I'm still working, so I'm still busy.
We'll see if I keep posting to this regularly or if I shut it down.

later all,
kyle

MakeDamnSure

2006-09-27T12:24:00.000-07:00

A new music video for the week - the other one quit working apparently *shrugs* I really like this song a lot though. This band is called Taking Back Sunday and the song is entitled makedamnsure. This is a little bit what our band And Yet sounds like... kinda sorta. I have problems describing our music because it's different and we have a variety of different songs styles too. Anyways - I hope you enjoy!

Kyle

*edit* if you have problems watching it or viewing my blog - i found that Internet Explorer works better for some reason - although generally i like to use Firefox as a browser.

LIF*E

2006-09-25T14:49:00.000-07:00

AND YET
Our band is doing really well. These are some photos from the concert a few weeks back. We plan on performing more this coming school year than we did last year, but it is hard to find a time (and place) to practice. We're all friends from school, but we all go to different universities in the area now. When I got back from Singapore some of the older songs sounded really solid! the guys had been practicing. They also had come up with a few new ones and then just last week we wrote another new song that is going to be a lot of fun when we get it polished up.

School is going well. I'm mostly keeping up with homework - sorta. I've had my first round of tests in every class I think so I must be at least 4 weeks into school... it seems so weird that I was in Singapore not so long ago, and I still really really want to come back. The past couple weeks I've been pretty silent - msn and blog wise - and all of my friends in Singapore have just finished (or are starting) some pretty serious tests, so they have been absent for a while to. I miss talking to them all - but it must be a good sign that they are all studying hard! :)

Work is going well. I'm scheduled two nights a week and then a day on the weekend generally and I can almost always pick up extra hours during the week for someone who needs someone to work for them. Work plus school plus band plus homework keeps me quite busy though.

My friends are doing great. We hang out on the weekends, I have some classes with a couple of the guys. This coming weekend I think we're going to go shopping :P just for the heck of it. We play computer - Guildwars is definitely the game we've most recently become addicted to. We've watched a few movies... nothing recently. Oh! the other day I ordered My Sassy Girl off of Amazon and it just came in today. If you all haven't seen that movie I recommend it - I thought it was pretty funny. I saw it for the first time in Singapore - I believe it's in Korean with English subtitles so it's easy enough to follow.

This is my update - that I failed to do for the past while. I will try to get better at it again. To all my friends Singapore and here at home and from CTI:
*hugs* and *love*

Kyle

yay!

2006-09-23T22:27:00.000-07:00

To all my friends in Singapore - Happy Exams Are Over Day!!! :P I'm sorry I've been a bit distant lately. I'm definitely in the full swing of school and hanging out with friends and band practice and work... I have a busy life! How are you all doing!? I hope that I haven't forgotten all your names now that it's been about two weeks that I've heard from any of you... :( I miss you all! I promise I will be more diligent with posting on my blog - it has been a while - but this entry is going to be short because I need to go to bed :D

*hugs* to all!

Kyle

High School Musical

2006-09-14T09:24:00.000-07:00

So I have finally seen it! While in Singapore we learned the dance at the very end of the movie which was an astounding hit with a lot of the youth. The High School Musical is huge in Singapore - almost everyone has seen it or at least heard of it and they love it. I watched it last night (when I should have been doing homework, but I didn't want to do homework) and I think it's very well done. I like it for the music, and for the voices, and the story line was alright - I can see why it attracts so many. The kids in the movie make me feel inferior though :P They can sing amazingly, way better than I can - and they can dance, which I've never been able to do. I definitely admire their talents. But I'm not saying I'd trade my voice - everyone sounds different, and my tone is good for the music that me and my friends write and that we like to listen too.

Now when I come back to Singapore I want to watch the musical with my friends :D

Kyle

You don't need luck

2006-09-10T09:58:00.000-07:00

To all my friends in Singapore that have to take prelims tomorrow - Good luck! but I know you don't need it. If no one ever says it to you, I want to be sure that you know, I know you are all very smart and that you will do well in your endeavors. I'm keeping you all in my prayers today. I pray that you will be calm and free from stress and that what you have been studying is fresh and vibrant on your mind when the time comes for you to apply it. Adults always say that you need to work towards your future and that you need to have a plan right now and work your hardest to achieve - I say take each day as it comes, work hard but enjoy it, and have fun with life - life is fun, and please never stop smiling. You are all beautiful. I miss you all and I'm sorry that I've been absent for a while. I promise I will try to jump on msn this week to talk to you to find out how you are doing and how tests are going. This is my shout out to all of you- Do Well, remember to Have Fun, and Keep Rocking Life!

A *hug* for each one of you
Kyle

Home in Sioux Center

2006-09-08T14:01:00.000-07:00

Sorry if my last post was a little philosophical - I didn't mean for it to get so wordy. Anyways, this is my house! :D I promised that i would get up some photos of where I live. I'm still working on getting some pics of my family, but this is what I've got for now.

This is the front of my house

This is the side of my home - our house is on a corner of two streets

This is my car - 1997 Pontiac Sunfire

* Knowing * Purpose *

2006-09-08T10:27:00.000-07:00

Purpose. This is a very personal word. A complicated word with lots of implications. I want to address the issue that precedes purpose. People have purposes or seek to realize purposes; inanimate objects, things, do not have purposes of their own. An inanimate object, say a machine, may embody purpose, but it is the purpose of the designer, not it's own. If I would come across a piece of machinery and had no idea of its purpose, I can take it apart to figure out just how it works, but that still does not explain what it is for. Someone who knows the machine or the designer of the machine will have to tell me what it was created and designed to do. And when he is telling me what it is for, how will I know that he isn't lying to me or playing a trick on me? If I am going to use the machine for it's intended purpose I will have to trust the designer. Only if I know the purpose for which something was designed will I know if it is good or bad - and it still requires an act of trust or faith. A parachute is another good example; the mass of silk might be good as a parachute but you have to trust the jump instructors when they describe it's purpose and that it will work - and this act of faith is essentially in the face of a life or death situation.
So I want to apply this to human life and human purpose. If I do not know the purpose for which human life was designed, I have no basis for saying that any kind of human life-style or belief is good or bad.

If we consider what is involved in learning to actually know anything, we will see that knowing has to begin with an act of faith. We have to trust the evidence of our eyes and ears, or, if we are learning a language, or learning a science or history or any other branch of knowledge, we have to begin by trusting those who undertake to teach us. There is no other possible way to begin. Knowing anything implies that you believe something - you have faith. The questions we should consider then, are, what do you believe? Who do you trust? And I think the most important one, What do you put your faith in?

Kyle

Sweet!

2006-09-06T17:07:00.000-07:00

If it hasn't started already - check it out on the side! ====>
I've been finding more fun stuff to add to my blog. The music video is Stockholm Syndrome by a band called MUSE and they are my all time favorite band. I will try to post some new songs every now and then and I will keep posting photos when I get the time.

Kyle

Photos!

2006-09-05T20:18:00.000-07:00

If you will all direct your attention over to the right-hand side of my blog, you will see a new heading that says photo albums. Presently there is only one photo album created entitled CTI in the Singapore Zoo. If you would click on the link, it will then take you to another blog cite where I have spent quite a bit of time uploading pictures of CTI in the Singapore Zoo.
I will be creating more "photo albums," or blogs, of other events, people, or random things that CTI experienced while in Singapore - when I have more free time of course. I hope you all enjoy!

Kyle

Changes of the Cosmetic Type

2006-09-05T06:16:00.000-07:00

Well, as you can all tell, I was having some fun with my blog last night. It hasn't changed a lot but I figured out how to insert the links and my profile has a picture now :D Maybe that's not such a big deal to some of you but this is my first blog and I finally figured out how to work and control it, and I must say - I'm pretty stoked. If there are any problems with any of them not working let me know.

School has been going good. Although I feel my homework load is unfair. Every teacher feels that it is his or her duty to assign us four hours of reading and then a two or three page response paper every day. I don't really mind the papers so much but they can get a little boring and repetitive. I can't stand reading homework though... I just can't concentrate long enough. I always let myself get distracted by something else - or in a lot of cases I'll start talking on msn or work on my blog.

I've been hanging out with my friends a lot - which is great! I didn't miss them all so much while I was in Singapore (I feel saying that), but now that I'm home it is definitely a blessing to have them here because they keep me smiling and laughing. We watch tv or movies or we play video games and we get together and have "study parties" where we just sit with all of our textbooks and do our homework together. The games of choice right now - for Playstation 2 we've been playing Tekken 5 and Resident Evil 4 and then for computer we like to play Guild Wars. I could waste entirely too much time playing games but so far I've been able to balance studies, homework, work, friends, and video games. Oh! and band - And Yet, the band that was once Hearts and Rainbows, has our first show this Saturday on school campus - so we are all pretty excited about that.

So that's a little bit about what's happening in my life - keep posting on all your blogs - I'm reading them hoping to keep up with what's going on in your life. I will try to get up some photos of my friends and family here because some of you were inquiring and if any of you have questions you'd like to ask me, feel free and ask. It will give me something more to blog about :)

God's love through me to you
Kyle

"There and Back Again"

2006-09-03T15:33:00.000-07:00

How do you pick up the threads of an old life? How do you go on, when in your heart you begin to understand, there is no going back? There are some things that time cannot mend, some hurts that go too deep, and have taken hold.

J.R Tolkien ~ Frodo Baggins
Lord of the Rings

In the sense of this quote - Singapore is a hurt on my heart, that time will not mend, but it's a good hurt. I will not forget what I experienced there, nor will I forget the friends I made.
I love Lord of the Rings

Kyle

conviction

2006-09-01T11:37:00.000-07:00

this is what I would love to do with my life...

I met a lot of great young people in Singapore, and I can't help but wonder, how can we keep in touch. What's their story? What can I do to help? When I feel the calling on my heart, I don't see how it is possible to be here and not want to be able to speak with people, to love them, to get to know them. Every day I pray to God: use me. Tell me what to do. Tell me what to say. And Lord if it's Your will send me back to Singapore.

I read this quote in my Foundations of Missions and Evangelism class yesterday and it hit me so intensely. It explained in very few words exactly how I feel. I changed it a little to make it personal but the important parts are all the same. I just wanted to post it because I thought it was really cool how it related to my life.

smile today - life is good!

Kyle

school has started sigh

2006-08-31T16:09:00.000-07:00

here is my class schedule - in case you were curious

Monday Wednesday Friday

8:00-8:50 - Foundations of Missions and Evangelism
9:00-9:50 - Economics and Christian Stewardship
11:00-11:50 - Interpersonal Communication
1:00-1:50 - Choir

Tuesday Thursday

9:25-10:40 - History of Christian Confessions
11:40-12:55 - Physical Science

Classes are going well. I miss being able to get on msn right away in the morning and talking till 11:00 to all my Singapore friends :( I will still try to get on in the morning - I haven't forgotten you - I've just be busy. Usually I go to bed around 12:00 or later and then I get up at 6:30 to get ready. I should have some time to chat for a while then in the morning - Especially Tuesdays and Thursdays when my classes don't start till 9:25 (which, just so you know, is about 10:25 pm in Singapore). I haven't gotten a lot of homework yet, but I'm still being introduced to the classes and I've only gone to all my classes once. I hope school is going well for anyone reading this. To all my Singaporian friends: keep studying hard and good luck on your prelims!

Kyle

-aya-

2006-08-30T05:24:00.000-07:00

So sorry to all my Singapore family, friends and fans that I haven't been on msn lately. The past couple days have kept me pretty busy, and today I start school. *wish me luck* I'm not really ready for school to start again, and I'm definitely not excited, but it's going to start whether I like it or not.

My classes usually begin around 9:00 am, so if I get up on time and get ready fast I should have some time to chat with you all on msn before school - anyways... now I should be getting ready for school.

luvs to all,
Kyle

One Week Home

2006-08-27T17:06:00.000-07:00

It has been one week since I left soil in Singapore and I guess I'm getting back into life here at home. My weekend has been really fun. I think I need to tell you all some fun things that I've been up to - just to let you all know that I'm still smiling and chipper and that I haven't sunken into depression of some sort. I still miss Singapore terribly, don't think I've forgotten you - but life is too much fun, and too worth living, than to be sad and depressed for a long time.

I've been back to work already - which was a weird experience. I feel like I've forgotten everything I knew before I left, but I'm pretty sure I'll remember as I get back into regular work hours. I made it to my first band practice in the six weeks I've been gone and it was great. For those who don't know, I'm in a band here in the states with a bunch of friends - seven guys to be exact. We are currently called Hearts and Rainbows, but we're debating changing our name. I don't really want too - I like our name now, but I'm willing to change. We write our own music, our genre of choice is rock. At the practice the other day I got to hear a few new songs the guys were working on and the songs that we'd written before sound even better than before! I think all in all we've got about eight or nine songs now that we've written ourselves. My friends and I have also watched a few movies already - something that we do a lot :D Where I live - Sioux Center, Iowa - there isn't a lot to do, so we have to entertain ourselves - we watch a lot of movies, and we like to play video games :P ... kinda lame I know but it's still fun. I've also been doing a bit of cleaning and rearranging of stuff. I cleaned my room and organized it, and I've been helping my mom with house chores. I've been kinda busy my first week home but at the same time I've had a lot of time to think and just sit and type on my computer. I still miss Singapore tons, but it is kinda nice to be home with friends and family who care... readjusting will still take some time, but I will keep this blog updated - as best as possible. If I start slacking of and haven't posted in a while go ahead and send me an email or something :D

until next time - everyone keep smiling your beautiful smiles!
Kyle

Stardom

2006-08-26T13:27:00.000-07:00

Thank you to all the people and friends from Singapore that have been keeping in touch with me! I'm trying so hard to remember names and faces that go with hotmail addresses - and I'm not doing to bad I don't think... although if you are one of the people that I keep asking your name and then forgetting I'm really sorry.

I want to take this chance to say thanks to all of the people that made my trip in Singapore the experience of a lifetime. To the SYFC staff and volunteers... thank you for everything. It is too difficult in words to express everything I feel towards you. We are all united in God's family and the love I have for you is overwhelming in a sense. I've never grown so intensely close to complete strangers in such a short time period before, but because of the passion we share and the Love of God in three in a half weeks I grew so comfortable with you and we had so much fun... leaving was difficult but I know I will see you all again, if not in this life certainly the next. My second thanks is to all the young people. You made this trip great! If you hadn't responded the way you did at our performances we wouldn't have had near as much fun, and it would have shown. We invested a lot of energy into you - the kids and young adults of Singapore - and you were receptive. You listened to us, and you had fun, and you showed us that you were having fun.

We received a lot of attention from you. While we were in Singapore the concerts were fun and everyone's response was great - and afterwards we always stayed and talked with kids and took photos and signed autographs. I gave my contact info out because I wanted to try and keep in contact with them - which is definitely working. I have 50+ new msn contacts and a new friendster account (which I have no idea how to work). Now that I'm home, I'm trying to start this blog and trying a few other things as ways of keeping in touch and sharing photos with friends from Singapore. I've also been reading some of the other blogs out there, from kids who posted about CTI or the members (or me)... and I must say it is very flattering :D We had a lot of fans in Singapore. But as it always is in life - you can't please everyone. There are some people that posted blogs or comments that actually expressed dislike for either CTI or for myself. I read somewhere that I am an attention seeker and full of myself... I am honestly sorry if I came across as attention seeking to anyone. Really that is very opposite my personality. I am a people person - I like meeting new people and talking and sharing and listening, but at the same time I am rather shy. Having that much attention in Singapore was such a different experience for me - it was flattering but at the same time it was so weird and foreign.

I made a lot of friends in Singapore and they all made me feel very appreciated and I had a great time. While in Singapore our band was famous - each member of the band was a star! The Trip to Singapore was amazing, and the people were so friendly, and the response we got was superb - but at the same time we always remembered to try and remain humble because the glory and fame was not for us - it was all for God. The last Thanks I need to say is to God.
Thank You Lord for giving me the opportunity to go on this trip with CTI. Thank You for impacting lives. Lord Your work was so evident and I pray that You will keep working in Singapore. That the lives we touched and the people we laughed and shared life with - I pray that You will bless them, and watch over them, and work in their lives. Lord may all the glory and praise be Yours.

- One of God's tools in Singapore

Adjusting...

2006-08-24T13:20:00.000-07:00

Life is difficult and full of changes all the time. I am back in the States right now but I just returned from a four week trip to Singapore that was the most marvelous experience of my life.

I loved Singapore. I went with a team of nine others through an organization called Carpenters Tools International (CTI). CTI auditions youths with musical talent and picks the best instrumentalist and vocalists and forms a mission oriented band out of them. Our team trained for two weeks in the states learning songs and dramas (skits) and then we went traveled thirty-six hours to Singapore. Our main programs were in schools all over Singapore and then we had a few large concerts on the weekends. The larger concerts were actually in a carpark underneath the SYFC building in the Geylang district, and we had a big finale concert in an auditorium at the DBS bank. Our purpose in Singapore was to try and reach as many youths as we could with the gospel. Our team/band worked with the Singapore Youth for Christ and they kept us busy. Every day seemed long, but at the same time three and a half weeks flew by incredibly fast and before we knew it we were getting on a plane to leave again. In the 21 days we were in Singapore we performed 35 shows.
While we toured the schools we were not allowed to directly evangelize because Singapore has very strict rules about religious toleration, so our programs were designed as positive message programs and we were always advertising for the Garage Concerts and the Finale at DBS Auditorium. We wanted to get the youth interested and to come to the weekend events - where we could share with them the story of Christ and Salvation...
That's what we did while we were in Singapore. But I'm not in Singapore anymore...

I miss Singapore sooo much. It hurts to talk about it because it brings back all the good memories that I have and reminds me that I am not in Singapore - I'm in northwest Iowa. I miss the people of Singapore. The YFC staff that we worked with was amazing, and the volunteers that worked with us... And all the students that we got to talk to and share with... I formed so many strong relationships while in Singapore. Our team grew close together. Our team grew close with the YFC staff. And I grew close to the youth of Singapore. When it came time to leave after the three and a half weeks there I was not ready to go - I wanted to stay. The only way to describe how I feel towards Singapore and the culture and the people is love... When I got on the plane and flew back to America I left a part of my heart in Singapore - and now I'm feeling wounded. When I left, I didn't leave friends behind, I left my new family.

Now I'm back home trying to get back into the swing of life... I start school soon, and I need to be able to pay for that. I need to start working again. I have friends and family here that want to know how everything was, but it's hard to tell them... it's not something that can be easily or adequately explained in words.

Adjusting is hard, but I know God has a plan that will come from all of this. Even though it hurts I am not sorry that God sent me on this trip. It was something I will never forget and that has changed and is changing my life and I'm glad for it. And it's the most amazing testimony of His love. I was able to go all the way across the world and form these close relationships with the people there because we had the connection through Him. We are different people but we have the same Faith, the same Salvation, and the same Love of God.

blogging...

2006-08-23T15:14:00.000-07:00

To anyone who has done the whole blogging thing before - I need help :(
Someone take pity on this american and teach me what needs doing, plz?

2006-08-21T15:40:00.000-07:00

To any Singaporeans that might read this - I miss you all so much! I loved your country, and the people, and the relationships formed, and I would love to (and intend to) come back and visit. I'm trying out different ways of keeping in contact with everyone - this is my first post in a new blog! how exciting - I'm going to try and post as many pictures as I can and if you have any good concert shots or other random images that deserve recognition feel free to email them to me.
Love to all,