2007

The year 2007 has been an interesting year for me. At the beginning, it never occured to me that it will be a compelling & stimilating one. Now that its nearing the end, I sit look at it and reminisce how it's been treating me. Are you ready to review this thought provoking year?

Back in April, my year & a half old daughter had to experience a major surgery. Imagine an innocent girl who hardly speaks, yet just starting to master her walking skills, and still needs milk approximately 3 times a day, has to prepare herself for surgery. We're talking about a surgery lasting a few hours from end to end. Then the agony of recovery. It isn't a pretty sight. However, with God's grace, not only was our stay at the hospital only 1 week, my daughter's surprise healing was only months. She's now almost like any normal child...being active and achieving every miles stone for her age.

Around the same time right after my daughter's surgery, I lost my job due to some office politics. Thus being idle for a few months made me think about my career path. My spiritual journey during these months was up & down...well, actually mainly down as always. However, bargaining with God was captivating in the essence where God showed me that I can't control my future. All these times I tried to do my best in every task that is laid upon me. No matter how hard I tried, it's still in God's hands.

In May, we went to see the world famous tulips at the Nation's capital: Ottawa. This weekend getaway was very relaxing and for our family to enjoy a time together away from home. We took lots of pictures and my daugther and wife was very happy.

My struggle in finding a job continued as I was looking forward in changing fields without a locked path and lacking any success. I had a view interviews but none worked out. I was however offered two opportunities where I turned down the initial one. When the second one was offered, I almost turned it down for I was very reluctant in taking this offer. Finally, I made a deal with God and decided to take this offer. In both fortunate & unfortunate circumstances the deal ended in an unsophisticated way. However, it was not as sweet as I hoped it would be. I don't know what God wanted me to learn from this experience. He placed me in an environment where I had to encounter situations where I do wish that I don't need to confront anymore in the future. This is where the guarantees will most likely not happen.

Regardless of what has taunted me or whatever I've engaged, it certain was also another year where God's blessing was sufficient. The blessings of God is what I am definitely guaranteed no matter what I am incapable of retreating from. No matter what the circumstances, as long as the Lord is walking with me, there is practically nothing I could fear. Even if I am scared to walk, I know that the Lord will hold my hand and maybe even carry me.

To all my Brothers & Sisters, I would like to express my gratitude for standing beside us while we were in our down times. Your support and prayers has been the pillars for us to lean onto. Having you as our support has been one of God grace and blessing. There is nothing we would trade it for. As you enjoy this Christmas and New Year's celebrations, take the time to reflect on the Saviour's birth. I want to take this opportunity to wish a Merry Christmas and to all a blessed New Year.

Traditional Season's Greetings

In the last few years I noticed that many media have become the so called “Politically Correct” by using or sending their wishes during the Christmas Season as “Happy Holidays.” Come to think of it, I started to realize the impact there was in switching. I don't see the necessity for the switch. It seems to have changed the meaning for Christmas. The world has agreed that Christmas is celebrated on December 25 and December 25 it has been since forever. Then Hanukkah is around the same time. By the way, has anyone mentioned that the Asians and in this case mainly the Chinese also celebrate Winter Solstice on December 22. With the Chinese...I'm sorry, politically correct term: Asians, constitutes for approximately 1/5th of the worlds population. Many Asians agree that the celebration of Winter Solstice is more important than celebrating Chinese New Year for Winter Solstice is where family gathering happens for most just like Christmas for the Western world. By this I refer to North & South Americans and most Europeans. In other words, do the Asians also have to join this campaign in changing their wishes to “Happy Holidays” as well during their celebration of Winter Solstice?

I also noticed, despite of wishing “Happy Holidays” during the Christmas season in the media, that the commercial part of Christmas is still referred to “Christmas shopping.” Where is the consistency? Should it not be “Holiday” Shopping instead? Now I have brought forth more confusion or more controversy. Maybe I've even reminded the media to be careful with their terminology usage. Regardless of what they think, my point is that Christmas is not to be associated with commercialism. During Thanksgiving, regardless if it is the American or Canadian, most people go back to their hometown to have family gatherings. They may or may not buy gifts for each other. Christmas usually bears the same meaning if you are not a Christian. However, it has become so commercialized in the last decade that the meaning of it has since faded. I see that for the Americans, it's too close to Christmas where most of the money spending takes place. Why is the Canadian Thanksgiving not been commercialized? It's way before Christmas.

Another thing I noticed is many shopping centres are broadcasting Christmas songs. Many of these songs are reprised by famous artists. Many of these same artists have swayed from saying “Merry Christmas” to “Happy Holidays.” Despite of that, why are they still singing Christmas carols? Isn't that a slap on their own face? They wanted to be politically correct, however, they record these Christmas songs and makes a profit out of it. Would this not be like revealing to the world that you don't take drugs but you not only take them, you also sell them? Totally obsurd from my point of view.

This Christmas, I bring upon a challenge to you all. This is what I have and will continue to do so until it's declared illegal: I will continue to wish anyone I see “Merry Christmas” regardless of what they celebrate. It's been as such since as far as I could remember. I don't intend to change it and it is not possible either. If I wanted to become a Korean, I could dress, talk, walk, eat, sleep like a Korean. No matter what I do, I'll never become an authentic Korean for my blood flows Chinese “descendancy.” It does not matter how one wraps one's hand. One could make it look like a foot. However, it's only on the exterior. Below the wrappings, it's still a hand. That is a fact and is not changeable no matter what is done. So, is Christmas. Merry Christmas to you all.

A toast.

It was just a while ago, a buddy of mine got married. Him & I go way back. Back to when we were wearing bell bottom slackers or jeans. Our hair cut was performed by my mother and it looked like she placed a bowl on our heads and chipped off whatever was sticking out.

I remember when my Dad took me and my sister out, he'd tell us that we're going to John's place. This was how I related to him, by going to John's place. Our friendship grew and we also fought a lot for our toys. It wasn't until recently when I was thinking about how long we've known each other, slowly I realized that I started to envy him for having all these toys and especially Lego toys. Then he'd have seen all the original Star Wars series. It was just 2 years ago when I saw the original series. Today however, I am happy for him for having such a lovely bride. Thank God that I'm not losing out. I also have a lovely wife and a daughter that's cute as ever.

We lost touch for some years despite being in the same town. It came to a point where I started to think about our friendship. We started to have different friends. We hardly spoke to each other till I started to converse more and more with Julie. The more we talked, the more I wanted to resume our friendship. Its very rare to know someone who's known you since childhood. We came from a similar back ground. We attended the same church, the same school, lived in the same town. Our parents knew each other.

John has brought to his household a well deserved wife. She's able to prepare meals in the kitchen and presentable in the living room. She's family oriented and loves her husband. I also know that John will love and protect her with all his might.

Julie, I know that John has found you as his life long companion. I trust that God will bless the two of you. Rest assured that He'll shower your life together on a daily basis with His blessings.

John, thank you for letting me stand beside you as your best man. When you asked me to prepare a speech, I thought of our friendship. I don't know why but I kept on thinking about the times we used to role play characters. Do you remember Siu Lung Lui? I still do! I will forever remember that. It was part of our happy childhood together and will remain the best memory between you and me. Cheers to our childhood friendship.