Remembrance

The Suburbs

2010-11-19T00:56:00.000-08:00

Helpful Flow Chart

2010-11-07T19:51:00.000-08:00

http://www.liturgy.co.nz/blog/tag/websites

research

2010-08-03T00:01:00.000-07:00

A few key ideas have been ruminating since the beginning of this course. I have structured this reflection on those key ideas.

My perceived traditional pattern for coursework was this—weekly class, homework and reading, then the two events occurred again launching a cycle which terminated at term’s end. This has become near obsolete thanks to the many ways technology creates avenues of collaborative learning that lead straight into one’s personal domain. The word I have thus chosen for this section is invasive, a word here which is synonymous with infringe in that is does not really respect one’s personal freedom. This is practically illustrated a number of different ways.

The first is the depth with which I had jumped into my research topic. Understandably, it makes sense that one would begin to understand a subject the more one spends time with it. And as increasingly more time is spent with it—obviously—understanding increases all the more. This learning, however, has a drawback in that not everyone else necessarily follows that same path of understanding. Consequently, it becomes increasingly more difficult to convey the results of the research in basic terms. In other words, it is difficult to remove oneself from the research having been so immersed within it; however, that is exactly what one must do to be able to be able to effectively communicate the research findings to those not so intimately involved with the research.

The second way research has been invasive is that its collaborators seemed very close. There were times during this project when our team would meet for a late night Skype and type session past ten o’clock at night. At other times it seemed good to know that I could ask a question or simultaneously edit a document with someone even though they were a few towns away. This further meant that it was difficult to temporarily take time off or to escape from this ubiquitous research project.

The second idea emerged as a struggle between intense and relentless and I settled on the latter. Research is relentless in that it includes both intensity, pace and a curious desire to never let go. The intensity and pace were created from the time constraints of this current project; however, I suspect there would be a certain level of intensity and pace within most research projects to meet deadlines inherent with any project. The desire to never let go was probably my least favourite aspect. Like invasive, there was never really a time during the research process wherein one could pause and take respite.

That which I found challenging was how the research process was tantamount to learning a new language, and for this I chose the word language. I find the language of academia tricky enough without having to be concerned about its appropriate syntax and grammar. And once I further immersed myself within a particular [insert word here which means something like domain], the way in which I described it had an identifiable accent. Not speaking with a particular accent betrayed my non-native status and even made me a little more difficult to understand not to mention that I sounded a little funny. I leave this language metaphor now to summarize: learning what to say and how to say it is not easy and it takes a great deal of work to say it in an acceptable and understandable way.

I was struck by the ever-changing nature of the research process for which I simply chose the word dynamic. While we had something of a research template to follow which guided us along towards to path to completion, there were multiple negotiations and changes along the way. Some of these I expected while others I thought were unchangeable. Specifically, when our survey questionnaire did not produce the results we expected, we further examined the question and decided to remove it from our results. Similarly, we briefly entertained the idea that our research questions might need some modification. That our research could take new and unexpected directions—though not drastic ones— did surprise me a bit.

I cannot leave reflection on research without stating what might be so obvious that it may often not be stated: research requires an insane amount of work! As such, I choose the word quantity. We set out to answer three different questions, but before we could answer them they first had to be constructed, and constructed in a manner in which they could be properly answered. To properly answer the questions necessitated that we consider our research subjects, their timelines and a number of other considerations. At each point along the way we had to appropriately document our decisions and explain why we were making them. And finally we had to take this mountain of data, interpretations, discussions, methods, and other valuable content, and present it in a manner which was understandable and relevant. Even for the four of us, it proved rather enormous. It is for this reason that I state with confidence that I find research exhausting.

warranting

2010-08-02T12:14:00.001-07:00

Warrant

wrong

2010-07-18T00:00:00.000-07:00

I don't much care for being wrong; truly, I don't think many people do. I certainly don't intend to be wrong; however, it does happen. And I'll admit it. I am human and this human experience seems to thrive on things going wrong. Sometimes I am to blame.

But what I really don't like, and for some reason this really gets to me, it when I'm told I'm wrong and others thing I'm wrong. It's almost like being a kid again when you know you're right, but someone--perhaps someone older--tells you you're wrong, but you're truly right beyond all reasonable doubts. It's like someone telling you the sky is green, but it's blue. Clearly everyone around you can see that it's blue, I can see it's blue, that deceived person must be able to see that it's blue; but for whatever reason, the person states that it's green. This drives me insane. To make matters worse, others around don't see that I'm right, and I have clearly proven that I am.

I'm having one of these experiences right now--I know that I'm right and the other person is clearly in the wrong, but I know that the best thing to do is to walk away from it. This is killing my pride, but I'm sure it's the right thing to do. Well, it's not just killing my pride, it's agitating me from the inside out and it's over such a petty, inconsequential thing.

So here, as this blog is my witness, I'm walking away from it and hopefully taking the higher road.

New Pornographers

2010-07-17T13:48:00.001-07:00

IrfanView, Etc.

2010-07-09T23:12:00.001-07:00

Check out this SlideShare Presentation:

IrfanView, Etc.

View more presentations from Surrey Christian School.

IrfanView Presentation

2010-06-13T12:55:00.001-07:00

IrfanView Presentation (Andrew's sample)

View more presentations from Surrey Christian School.

hearing

2010-02-24T17:44:00.001-08:00

Not Anymore!

Well.... if you've heard the mosquito before you won't be able to hear it anymore...

The highest frequency you can hear is: 16khz

You can find out your audio hearing range at Teen Buzz and see how well you can hear

2010-02-20T23:43:00.000-08:00

Field Guide for Change Agents

2010-02-15T22:45:00.001-08:00

Check out this SlideShare Presentation:

Field Guide For Change Agents

View more presentations from Rodd Lucier.

Stereo Instructions

2010-02-08T00:44:00.001-08:00

2010-02-07T22:11:00.001-08:00

online

2010-02-04T20:19:00.001-08:00

digital

2010-02-04T20:15:00.001-08:00

affirmations

2010-01-29T17:38:00.000-08:00

I attended portion of a teacher retreat today in Cedar Springs, Sumas today and missed a bunch of content as I came a day late. We teachers reviewed a book by Steven Vryhof and presented their findings from the various chapters afterward. I had a short but telling conversation with Steven who didn't impress me much with his genuine conversation as he ended it rather briefly. Nice.

On Christian education, I constructed some of my own questions:

Can a Christian teacher who possesses all these qualities, bring this so-called Christian education to a non-Christian environment? Would this be preferred?
I wonder, within the context of the Christian School environment, what would a 'final product' student look like, who graduated from a Christian school, look any different than a student from a public school?

I then developed what my 'final product' would look like. In other words, what would a grade 6 student look like after having completed my grade 6 class?

The grade student:

can make mistakes
can ask any question
can think of others
can comment on a blog, edit a wiki, reset an iPod, connect a computer to a projector, and basically fix anything

Just some thoughts.

bye

2009-12-29T01:04:00.001-08:00

Snow Day!

2009-12-14T23:33:00.000-08:00

There will be no school Tuesday, December 15, 2009!

The List

2009-12-14T00:01:00.000-08:00

BestBuy Gift Cards
Moccasin Slippers (like I had when I was growing up in Vanderhoof; mother knows)
Ukulele
iPod Touch
Clothes
Ski Equipment (boots, poles, skiis)
Winter jacket

With all items, talk with Maggie first.

2009-10-19T18:01:00.001-07:00

credo

2009-10-06T22:26:00.000-07:00

This is a real treasure from a number of years ago when I began teaching in 2002. It's very idealist, a bit flowery, and much in need of an update.

Credo (circa 2002)

Because learners are dynamic, so too must learning be dynamic. Accordingly, I feel the teacher must learn to identify, through the varied classroom contexts and time spent within that realm through trial and error, how best to facilitate this learning. The findings will likely show that some students learn best independently, while others prefer cooperative methods, and that teaching should simultaneously cultivate each.

As a teacher, it is ultimately my responsibility to establish classroom procedures at the outset of the school year, allowing for revision as the year progresses. This process, however, should not be done in isolation of the students' concerns. The result is a class in which ownership is shared. This ensures that everyone will take pride in and care for the class's social and physical atmosphere. In the same way the curriculum should be determined; as a teacher I am ultimately responsible, but in order for kids to appreciate what is being taught, they will have input into the curriculum delivery. Parents and guardians, I strongly believe, ought to be part of the decision making process knowing that they are already a large part of the students' educational lives. Harmony between me–the teacher–and parents will only better promote a positive relationship between the home and the school [1], noting what Simons explains that parents occupy an invisible presence in the classroom [2]. However, in cases where parents contribute little to a child's education, I must be prepared to adjust my teaching strategy to compensate for this lack of learning at home. This may simply involve extra encouragement.

While it is a given that most children learn differently, they also do not like to have these differences made public, especially in front of their peers. Honesty, then, is key as children should be informed of how and why they are being taught in a particular way. In short, diversity within the classroom ought to be tackled with this same honesty yet with discretion. Knowing that the students in my class will have diverse learning strategies, I will address this with diverse teaching strategies, ranging from direct to indirect, independent to interactive

Knowledge must be real to children for it to be meaningful. The curriculum must reinforce this meaningfulness. I believe that while teachers often disperse information, until it becomes meaningful or until it begins to make sense in the mind of the student, only then does it become knowledge. In other words, knowledge is information that makes logical sense and has meaning to a child. A student's knowledge can be verified if the student can, in essence, use the acquired information–now knowledge–and re-teach it in numerous styles. This can take the form of testing, presenting, or a host of other media.

Teaching should first manifest integrity, without which it lacks believability and ultimately truth. At all costs, children should be pointed towards truth. By embodying integrity within the classroom my role will be both visible and invisible. The role will be visible as students require that I guide them to new knowledge, and when I pass this knowledge to them and it becomes their own, I will metaphorically slip out of existence which will reinforce their ownership and confidence. This results in neither a teacher- or student-centered classroom, rather a subject-centered one. [3]

I believe that a healthy school is an active participant in a healthy community; in fact, they build on each other. Further, a healthy school is one that practices respect inwardly and outwardly. It is by using this paramount philosophy of respect that will benefit all that come into contact with members of a this healthy school. As such, those practicing to treat others in the way they would wish to be treated will hinder injustice [4]. Injustice will be further tackled by teaching as close as possible to objective awareness on issues. This comes from the belief that all cultures contribute equally to humanity.

[1] Colorosa, Barbara. Kids are Worth It! Penguin Books, Toronto. 1999.

[2] Palmer, Parker. The Courage to Teach. Jossey-Bass, San Francisco. 1998.

[3] Handbook for New Teachers: British Columbia Teachers' Federation. August 2001.

[4] Smons, Deborah. “Dealing with Difficult Parents.” American Association of Christian Schools. (http://www.aacs.org). 2002.

disco

2009-08-13T21:24:00.001-07:00

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

Flash Mastery Assignment 4

2009-07-09T00:40:00.000-07:00

avatar

2009-07-05T22:45:00.001-07:00

2009-07-01T19:24:00.000-07:00

Sample Blog

2009-06-30T09:26:00.001-07:00

This is a new post.

tiger

2009-06-29T00:43:00.000-07:00

In my reading of Tiger Beat (July 2009), the issue of celebrity is most prominent. In the eighty pages, each page is covered with glossy images of repeated images of certain celebrities most between the visible ages of thirteen and twenty. Interestingly, all are white. A quick browse through the magazine and a closer, detailed one reveals that it is all about celebrities. Even when not an explicit info or picture page about a specific celebrity, there are suggestions of celebrities on most pages. Celebrities seem to offer advice on many areas of life including fashion and relationships. With respect to advertising, of the six advertisements in the magazine, only one points to a product outside of the commercial sphere of this magazine (Lifesavers). The other advertisements advertise the magazine itself or another of its various manifestations (e.g. website, back issues, etc.).

This graph shows a breakdown of all the pages of the magazine. It does not include the free posters in the magazine's center.

Within the celebrity pages of the magazine, half of the pages are images only while the rest fit into the categories listed above.

The front cover of the magazine reveals celebrities are its main focus.

This is a typical page spread in Tiger Beat: celebrity images are plenty.

The page on the right is the only 'outside' advertisement in the entire magazine. The rest of the advertisements are in-house only.

flash

2009-06-17T20:44:00.000-07:00

Check out http://www.surreychristian.org/files/curriculumdownloads/podcast/photography.swf

evolution

2009-05-08T09:21:00.000-07:00

It is 11:40pm Tuesday evening. I have spent many hours reading about that which has been good for my mind; though I’m not so certain how good it has been for my heart. Phrases like “textual meanings do not reside in the texts themselves” when I’d much rather be reading more entertaining phrases like “Harry reached for his wand” or—better yet—listening to clips like “Why are you the way that you are?” (And if that doesn’t give it away, here’s a hint: “I own a beet farm”). Nevertheless, in my pursuit of good devotional-like materials, I often find myself searching the places wherein I store print materials: on my bookshelves, through my journaling, or—more recently—in past entries from my personal blog.

And this evening I grabbed two books from my shelf: one by the former pope and the other by a former philosopher. A quick flip Crossing the Threshold of Hope found nothing of quick interest. I had a secret and bizarre desire that the words from the dearly departed pope could offer us Protestants some encouragement. But when I picked up Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations, I stopped after reading his simple entries from first page: he wrote about his learning...from the significant people in his life.

Now I don’t know much about the man, and my awareness of his life came from the unlikeliest of places—a Hollywood blockbuster film called Gladiator. He lived from 121 to 180 AD. For nearly twenty years he was the Roman Emperor. His moniker, the wise, he was considered one of the most important of the Stoic thinkers.

You can find more on the Stoic thinkers here.

While my quest was not to equate Stoic teachings with Christianity, I did find the relationship between our faith and Marcus’ philosophy did bear many some significant similarities, again proving to me that not all good teaching comes from an overtly Christian context:

“The ethical system of the Stoics has been commonly supposed to have a close connection with Christian morality; but the morality of stoicism is essentially based on pride, that of Christianity on humility; the one upholds individual independence, the other absolute faith in another; the one looks for consolation in the issue of fate, the other in Providence; the one is limited by Periods of cosmical ruin, the other is consummated in a personal resurrection.”
(NETBible http://net.bible.org/home.php Accessed May 6, 2009)

All this aside now, here begins what I had hoped to relate from the beginning. Marcus Aurelius began his Meditations in Book One with seventeen mentions of folks in his life who taught him something. Consider:

From my grandfather Verus I learned good morals and the government of my temper.
From the reputation and remembrance of my father, modesty and a manly character.
From my mother, piety and beneficence, and abstinence, not only from evil deeds, but even from evil thoughts; and further, simplicity in my way of living, far removed from the habits of the rich.
From my great-grandfather, not to have frequented public schools, and to have had good teachers at home, and to know that on such things a man should spend liberally.
From Alexander the grammarian, to refrain from fault-finding, and not in a reproachful way to chide those who uttered any barbarous or solecistic or strange-sounding expression; but dexterously to introduce the very expression which ought to have been used, and in the way of answer or giving confirmation, or joining in an inquiry about the thing itself, not about the word, or by some other fit suggestion.
To the gods I am indebted for having good grandfathers, good parents, a good sister, good teachers, good associates, good kinsmen and friends, nearly everything good.

While his words flow with the eloquence of a seasoned philosopher and powerful emperor, I now turn to my words and my mentors and teachers who have had comparable influence yet are somewhat less famous. Interestingly and perhaps with a little irony, those who of whom I have reflected on the most are those who have since passed away. I think it’s just in some way I have been forced to examine their lives and—being in a reflective mind space—thoughts just explode.

While not at the stage of my life whereat I am consciously thinking about putting together my life’s philosophies, a mid-life version of these thoughts could produce something like this:

From my Aunt Marion, a lady who marched to the beat of her own drummer, she showed me a love and appreciation for those not able to speak for themselves, for creatures bearing fur or feathers. Her passion for these critters remained strong.

From my music teacher Donald Kowallis, he showed me a love for music and a quick and twisted sense of humour that I now endeavour to pass along to my students.

From my Uncle Rob, a man who had a love for his students that I’ll never truly understand as my relationship to him was a nephew, and not a student or colleague. The testimonies at the celebration of his life spoke of a man deeply committed to his profession and the lives of children. Consider a verse and chorus sung at the celebration (sung to the tune of My Favourite Things) Reading, and photos, were some of his habits/Comic books, Batman and Samurai Rabbits,/Going for coffee with some of his friends/Mythbusters, Frasier, Two and a half Men/When Celine sings, when the bell rings/When we’re feeling sad,/We’ll simply remember Rob’s favourite things/And then we won’t feel so bad

From an old friend, Neil Klassen, who showed me that no matter what life gives you, you can look back at life and stand up to it. The man showed amazing tenacity to life battling diabetes for more than fifty years and cancer. He also demonstrated a diehard love for God.

From my grandfather, a man who –under big bushy eyebrows—showed a love for learning and fun. Should I live to see grandchildren, I can only hope that my example will be equal to his.

From my God, a source of life and the giver of so many good and perfect gifts.

The list is unfinished and I hope to see it much longer. My question to end: "Who's on your list?"

Goat Canucks Goat!

2009-04-17T23:05:00.001-07:00

Check out this video!

boots

2009-02-03T19:45:00.000-08:00

instructional

2009-02-03T18:50:00.001-08:00

What is Instructional Design?

View more presentations from Lauren Pressley. (tags: instructional design)

design

2009-02-03T18:42:00.000-08:00

I'm going to shift the purpose of this blog a little as I pursue this degree which is gradually taking up more and more of my life. This is not necessarily a bad thing as I recall briefly that I did not think my mind was being greatly challenged. Well, with the start of this MEd. program, that is all changing. Ironically, I'm often wishing for cognitively more peaceful times. But I will labour on! And I will complete this degree.

Oh, and what's this picture got to do with anything? Ask me about it; it's closely tied in with my goal.

elves

2008-11-25T00:08:00.001-08:00

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

knowledge

2008-11-19T22:09:00.000-08:00

test

2008-11-02T20:38:00.001-08:00

test

watch

2008-10-26T15:58:00.000-07:00

See if you can find my sister.

shifting

2008-10-17T22:02:00.001-07:00

gone

2008-06-28T01:54:00.001-07:00

Gone in a Flash - HD from Chris Crutchfield on Vimeo.

love

2008-05-29T10:03:00.000-07:00

When began my thought process of what form this devotional should take—so very long ago—a thousand ideas flooded my mind. However, and if you’ve had opportunity to glimpse but a smidgeon into my personal life over the past year, you may have a good guess as to the dominant idea which has eclipsed much of my other thinking. It is this new and wonderful force which has largely consumed my thoughts and action, which evinces itself now and will do no less in the future. And it is my preliminary research into this new life that I wish to make the subject of this devotion; simply, it is a devotional about love.

In reading a number of promises in anticipation of creating my vows, the language—though saturated with love—could well be transferred from the love from incipient husband and wife to God and man. Though much of these promises don’t contain scripture references, let me read some of the promises in which you will have no difficulty in hearing shadows of God’s promises to you.

I promise to:
· Love you
· Honour you
· Cherish you
· Be faithful to you
· Be loyal to you
· Be open and honest with you
· Be your best friend and companion
· Be your partner
· Be your confidant
· Be kind to you
· Laugh with you
· Dream with you
· Be your safe place to rest
· Care for you
· Make you my top priority
· Hold tight when the going gets rough
· Never give up
· Celebrate the good times
· Comfort you through the bad times (comforter)
· Keep renewing our relationship
· Surpass your wildest dreams
· Always be there for you
· Allow you your bad moods and love you anyway
· Love you for your quirks, as well as your shining traits
· Bring the best for you
· Bring you peace and serenity when you need it
· Calm your fears
· Be your shoulder to cry on
· Protect you from harm
· Spend the rest of my life with you
· Love you without reservation

I promise to always be yours:
· In good times and bad
· In sickness and health
· In happiness and sadness
· In your triumphs and defeats
· For richer and poorer
· In plenty and in want
· As the seasons change

Compare these to some of the promises of God:
· Matthew 28:20 And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
· Deuteronomy 31:6 Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.
· 1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
· Philippians 4:19 And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
· Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
· Matthew 8:17 This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: "He took up our infirmities and carried our diseases."
· Nehemiah 8:10 Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.
Love too often seems trivialized in our day and age. Think about the myriad love songs heard on the radio and via podcasts. But it is a real and ever present force. Consider the words of Martin Luther King, Jr.:

The meaning love is not to be confused with some sentimental outpouring. Love is something much more that emotional bosh…An overflowing love which seeks nothing in return is the love of God operating in the human heart…Love is the most durable power in the world. This creative force, so beautifully exemplified in the life of our Christ, is the most potent instrument available in mankind’s quest for peace and security…The great military leaders of the past have gone, and their empires have crumbled and burned to ashes. But the empire of Jesus, built solidly and majestically on the foundation of love, is still growing

From The Strength to Love
P.S. Consider this ironic morsel.

eclipse

2008-02-20T23:45:00.001-08:00

This is what the lunar eclipse looked like from my house this evening at around 7:36pm.

revisited

2008-02-16T23:40:00.000-08:00

Stuff happens and things change; this is no secret. Some time ago I wrote a bitter reprimand to the notion of Valentine’s Day. And to a large extent, I still spurn the sickly harmony of red and pink and chocolate and roses, but a new part of me part of me (ashamedly perhaps) can’t help but to let a small smile creep over my face when witnessing a Cupid commercial on the television or seeing a cheesy poem scrawled out on a Valentine’s note. It’s not so bad now as I have become the author of some of these poems.

Roses are red
Violets are blue
This poem is cute
I'll write only few

My change? Simply love. And it’s a good and happy place. Cupid’s arrow has left an unfixable mark.

reports

2007-11-27T23:23:00.000-08:00

iBetter

2007-11-14T15:45:00.000-08:00

A couple years ago I purchased Apple’s response to the media world—the newly introduced iPod Nano. Its new sleek design and ease of use completely won me over as—being a self-professed gadget junky—it fed a hunger of which only a combination of buttons, wires, and electrons can do.

Inevitably, however, this newly created electronic fabrication became redundant as the following year’s Nano boasted a newer, sleeker design complete with a scratch-less surface (first generation users will know what I’m talking about) and a trendier look. My impulse was to want to offload my old player and head down to Future Shop to replace my rapidly aging player for the simple reason that my old player was no longer the newest player on the market.

Wandering the environs of Surrey Christian, I see many digital audio players (DAP—the generic term for these mp3 music listening devices), and I often wonder if kids (and teachers) have bought into the newest electronic trend.

The term bigger and better doesn’t really apply here as the new more appropriate term might be smaller and better. That is certainly the case with many of today’s electronics. And while I try to learn that coveting is not how I should conduct my life, there are some things I should covet, goodness and kindness to name a few.

Nano is a term which, when combined with other words, means something very tiny (e.g. one billionth of something). One might say that seeking after something small might be a good thing to do. Who knows, perhaps a mustard seed should be our ultimate nano?

thanks

2007-10-09T00:17:00.001-07:00

Of late I've been again worried about my current situation in life, perhaps yet another quest into that which is futile. This past weekend I experienced the many great things in my life for which I am truly thankful. Even more recently, however, I've been discovering how many of these things are becoming pale in comparison to my friends and family to whom I don't often enough express my true gratitude.

All of these lines across my face Tell you the story of who I am So many stories of where I've been And how I got to where I am But these stories don't mean anything When you've got no one to tell them to ~The Story

life

2007-09-20T00:23:00.000-07:00

The more I think on my life, the more I think I am quite content living it. This is not to say that I'm completely complacent; rather, I think of many reasons why I am so blessed. This evening I was about to home to a much coveted spaghetti dinner when a friend called. I don't remember many details of the conversation--short as it was--but the work 'sushi' lured me away from one of my favourite pasta meals and I had a great evening visiting and eating.

Will I remember this evening some months from now? Likely not. However, the sum total of all these experiences have left a significant impression on me and I look forward to many more experiences like them.

There also currently exists a very recent and positive presence in my life. It is one whose presence inspires me every day.

In a few days I'll be celebrating a new phase of my life--moving into my first home. If you know me, please come. I'd be very grateful.

shine

2007-08-13T19:12:00.001-07:00

pomp

2007-07-26T03:11:00.000-07:00

Watch me sing a song at the place where I'm teaching in Korea for the summer.

korea

2007-07-23T04:54:00.000-07:00

If you're interested in seeing what I've been up to in Korea lately, click on my photo link.

quest

2007-07-23T04:33:00.001-07:00

The irony of the release of the new Harry Potter novel was that I had to leave Canada just hours before its worldwide release. The option, then, was perfectly clear: I had to purchase it elsewhere. But where was elsewhere? I had only a few options to select and they were ones with questionable, English, literary content. I had learned that Tokyo's Narita Airport had four bookstores, but a quick visit before our first night in Narita ended with an unquestionable 'no!'.

Success, however, was to be found on the second day. Upon returning to the airport after our brief transit stay at Nirita's Nikko Hotel, I learned there was a second bookstore inside the secure area of the airport. With this new found piece of intelligence, I led a small group of like-minded treasure seekers and we boarded a transit trolley for the other side of the airport terminal. Upon arriving at the bookstore, I quickly asked if Harry Potter was still available. 'Yes!' was the reply and I rashly purchased the book not paying heed to the price or the fact that it was not published in Canada (like my previous six Harry Potter books). Truth be told, I also selfishly didn't even consider that the copy might be the last book, which would have put my friends in a state of Harry-Potter-less-ness. By the time of the ordeal, however, three of us held our new books accompanied with larger smiles as we interestingly had to renegotiate airport security.

P.S. Currently I am on page eighty five and am off to read another chunk. I have a couple readers after me who want to borrow my copy.

biking

2007-07-09T23:01:00.000-07:00

I did a couple great bike rides over the past few days with some friends, both with memorable features. The first was at Lake Cavanaugh (see image below), which was a continuation of the rides I used to do in high school with a good friend.

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The second ride was just as great though there was something that sounds a little like 'getting lost' in the middle. All in all, however, a good time and a great ride! (P.S. Stay away from 'Mark my Word'!)

grind

2007-07-06T23:23:00.000-07:00

Not a hugely impressive climb today, but it was consistent considering I've been off for a few weeks: Start 3:45 1/4 4:01 2/4 4:12 3/4 4:25 Finish 4:38 (forgot my stopwatch).

vancouver

2007-07-06T22:32:00.000-07:00

I must say that I have begun to appreciate Vancouver more from my travels there this past week. From the expansive beaches and the tall buildings, it's a great place to be providing it doesn't rain. A few images which will stick in my mind from these recent trips: the warm sand, my grandparents' house, the stunning sunsets.

bears

2007-06-28T22:41:00.001-07:00

The day started out very well. The weather was nice and I had a bike on the roof of my car. Whistler is well known for its bears and its bears have been quite habituated to the presence of people on their mountain. So when I saw a bear at the top of my first run I wasn't surprise (or in this case terrified). I was a little shocked and somewhat terrified to see, as I rounded the tree, that this particular bear was in the presence of a couple cubs, perhaps yearlings. Fair enough. It's their mountain, so I peddled away leaving them to graze in their alpine pasture. What was more spectacular was seeing another bear later with three cubs in tow and they had to have been born this season as they were quite tiny. We were only about five metres away, which in most circumstances would have been something to cause panic. Fortunately, however, we were riding a chairlift and the bears were beneath us.

As for biking, I made some significant advances in riding with respect to drops and jumps. But, as they say, you can't make an omelet without breaking a few eggs. In this case the eggs were my layers of skin, my helmet, and my rear derailleur (Sram X.9). So today, a little scratched and bruised, I am ready to go to Whistler again, but not without a little more caution perhaps and with an air of gratitude that I'm still alive.

brogues

2007-06-28T22:39:00.001-07:00

The internet is full of helpful advice. Here's a neat little video on how to tie gillie brogues.

flood

2007-06-26T23:56:00.000-07:00

If you watch the news, you'll see the name Vanderhoof comes up probably more often than its residents would like. As a past resident, however, I have been filled with great curiousity and concern to learn of its recent dilemma--the great flood of '07. The landscape of many familiar places has been grossly transformed by the Nechako's rising banks. Check it out. Also, if you're a facebook member, check out the group 'The Great Flood of '07'!

beard

2007-06-24T10:42:00.000-07:00

Way back in December 2006 I joined in a beard competition. While not official, I think I annihilated the competition. Here's proof.

passion

2007-06-19T00:33:00.000-07:00

At the end of June it's easy to lose some of the passion for teaching that was all too real in September. Please pardon the crassness of this clip, but it echoes some of the passion for teaching that I wish I possessed.

what?

2007-06-12T02:03:00.001-07:00

Must be June!

souls

2007-06-10T19:31:00.000-07:00

It's amazing what a lot of rain, a good hike up a mountain and a downhill trek back down the mountain will do for the soul. I learned a couple things: one, that I like biking in dry conditions and two, that a chairlift makes life much more enjoyable. Check out the Four Lost Souls trail.

thanks

2007-06-08T23:35:00.000-07:00

Today was not one of the better days. It began with an abrupt beginning which was to result in a forgotten lunch, one I was rather proud of making. Fortunately, I was able to consume my regular helping of oatmeal, which may have been one of the day’s highlights. My morning harbingers took the form of two rather negative emails from parents who were dissatisfied with work, certainly one of the downsides of my job. It would be a welcome change to hear something positive, but I don’t think that will happen anytime soon. From there I received some minor complaints and the rest of the day went well enough. On the way home I punctured a tire forcing a short walk home. The day promised a change with the prospect of an evening in the much anticipated Kitsilano excursion. But Tantalus* reared his ugly head again and I remain unchanged.

If I was an alcoholic, I’d drink; if I was a drug addict, I’d shoot up. But I am neither. I am a Christian therefore I’ll pray. And that—thank God—is the difference for tomorrow is a new day.

address

2007-06-06T22:52:00.001-07:00

While it's not quite ready, I am now one step closer to living in my own home as I discovered the address today (see below).

encore

2007-06-03T18:10:00.000-07:00

I had intended my day be a little more relaxing with thoughts dwelling more on the reality of looming report cards than of the wonderful weather we've recently been excusing. But--ironically--temptation was delivered in church today with the invite of the young adults to take on the Grouse Grind. "Oh, no!" thought I, "not twice in two days!" I succumbed to this temptation. The only problem was that I couldn't find the young adults anywhere, though there were many people on the mountain. My time was much better today than it was yesterday. Yesterday's (which I can now admit) was 1:05:00 while today's was a much more satisfying 52:33, my best time of the year (thus far). So all in all it was a good day! But now, school preparations and house cleaning are due so the weekend is socially though not temporally over.

heat

2007-06-03T02:27:00.001-07:00

I shall not post my Grind time here today and shall only provide the most minimal details save that it was very hot and very humbling (see unflattering self photo on the left). Although I had wanted to quit after the first eighth was complete, I fought onwards and upwards and did in fact finish the trail. My hope is that next week's goes better.

métis

2007-06-03T01:35:00.000-07:00

Just doing some random surfing of the web this evening and came across this little gem: it's a copy of a book for which I was a contributor nearly ten years ago. Check out the full book here. It was about this time that I first was introduced to HTML and became much more proficient with using computers (and not for games).

water

2007-05-27T21:45:00.000-07:00

I like water. It makes things nicer in so many ways. I often thing of what a lack of water can do and this includes my house plants slowly dying in my living room and how I feel during a run during which I've forgotten to consume any water. It also lends itself well to aesthetics within nature such as the wonder that is Shannon Falls during the spring runoff and pretty much any babbling brook, stream, river or trickle.

But water has an interesting way of making itself unwelcome too. And to provide some real examples I refer the reader in a word: camping. Water from the sky, water in the tent, water that's too cold, water that's mind-numbingly cold, water that's not hot, water that's too far, water that's within (particularly if it's raining, cold and 3 o'clock in the morning).

goals

2007-05-22T22:32:00.000-07:00

I achieved two of my goals today (three if you consider lack of injury a goal). The Whistler Bike Park hosted this event at a drop zone and a last drop leading back to the chair lift. While I am unable to provide you with photographic evidence, I hope you'll accept these facsimiles. My camera would likely have become rather damaged even without a fall. There was, however, an eyewitness.

finished

2007-05-21T00:50:00.001-07:00

dvd intro screen

After finally procrastinating no longer, I finished the project which I began with last year's class. We watch it this Thursday. If you want to see it too, just let me know. The irony is that I want to start another project later this week too--something with 'numa' in the title.

lovehate

2007-05-19T18:04:00.000-07:00

I'm not normally one to try to invent new words, but 'lovehate' does best describe my relationship with Vancouver's Grouse Grind. With each new step up its 800 metre elevation gain, I regretted not having prepared myself more fully. But it was good because I finished in my projected time (59:38 1/4 17:23 2/4 13:12 3/4 15:33 4/4 13:29), twenty two seconds short of my goal.

The image is the view from the gondola as interpreted by Photoshop's watercolour filter.

half

2007-05-06T22:34:00.000-07:00

I think the 'half marathon' title should be changed to something else like the 'not quite a marathon' or 'other people did the full while I only did the half' or '13.1 miles of joy'. Regardless of its title, I felt pretty good today after running the race with only some 'soft tissue damage' as reported by the podiatrist in the medical tent and a pair of shins which are remarkably pain free. It's amazing what taking some rest will do. The real story, however, will be told tomorrow when the onset muscle soreness establishes itself.

P.S. A huge congratulations to Eric for completing his first marathon!

expectations

2007-05-06T22:16:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures of what my place could look like. It's the presentation suite. The only real difference is mine won't have any furniture or a large screen television.

bedroom

baby room (hmm...?)

upstairs hall

master bedroom

view

living room

kitchen

dining room

garage (aka bike haven)

exterior close

exterior far (it's near the end)

nice

2007-05-05T23:51:00.000-07:00

I saw this great commercial tonight just before watching Spider-Man 3.

frisbee

2007-04-30T01:51:00.000-07:00

Invent a caption for this picture.

Thanks KY for letting me steal this image from your site.

done

2007-04-25T20:15:00.000-07:00

The deed is done! I should be moving in a few months. Call me up to talk to me about it and feel free to visit me anytime. You may, however, have to bring your own furniture, food, cutlery, etc.

type

2007-04-25T20:12:00.001-07:00

You Have A Type A Personality

You are hyper, energetic, and always on the mood
You tend to succeed at everything you attempt
And if you don't succeed at first, you quickly climb your way to the top!

You could be called a workaholic, but you also make time for fun
As long as it's high energy and competitive, you're interested
You have the perfect personality for business and atheltic success

Do You Have a Type A Personality?

time

2007-04-23T22:48:00.000-07:00

Sometimes--when apparently I have nothing better to do--I will Google myself just to see how I manifest myself on the world wide web. While there obvious exist many of my namesake, here are a few true and interesting links. You may have to search for my name.

house

2007-04-18T22:23:00.000-07:00

So I have taken one step closer into the home owner's world today when I viewed and signed the largest legal document I have even seen (I don't see many legal documents). Like sometimes when viewing my faith, I have to keep the long term goal in mind for the short term sight seems a little daunting. I remember when I was little how big a dollar seemed and the thought of a hundred next to inconceivable. Now I could easily speak in fractions of a million and I don't think I have ever counted higher than one thousand in my life. Wait! there was that time once in church when I did it in my head. Now as I ponder the idea of giving away thousands of dollars over the next many years, I can only hope that my Super 7 winning will happen soon.

shopping

2007-04-18T00:20:00.000-07:00

Check out my latest wondering at Manhattan Skye.

'photoshopping'

2007-04-16T23:07:00.000-07:00

Just trying out some stuff from a little tutorial I found while wasting time.

excuses

2007-04-15T12:59:00.000-07:00

It was a good day that both met my expectations and one wherein I wish I could have had other expectations. What is--I think--my eighth consecutive Vancouver Sun Run, I ran--by my own time--just over 46 minutes, which is a a personal worst; however, I am glad to have finished nonetheless. My shoelaces came undone about five time, my training has not been up to par, and there was more congestion than I ever remember. All said, the day was fun and it seemed everyone else was enjoying the day. I can hardly wait until next year to start training for it again, but hopefully I'll find some other smaller ones along the way!

at the finish

under the dome

tombstone

2007-04-04T00:22:00.000-07:00

Fun little tool in at somber sort of way. It's been an interesting week. Call if you want to go hiking.

lego

2007-03-23T20:52:00.000-07:00

Airwolf 2

The Destroyer

Lego has always formed a fascination with me. It has long provided me and countless friends with thousands of hours of entertainment, limited only by the constraints of my imagination. In retrospect I’m wondering if these plastic blocks weren’t a clever plan concocted by my parents at eliminating the need for a nanny or just to give them some deserved free time. Whatever the reasons, Lego allowed me to create my own universe often accompanied with visitors from the Matchbox galaxy.

Over spring break I unintentionally had a chance to revisit this make believe universe. Friends came to visit and I spent a good amount of time recreating not some fantastical works of art as evinced by these pictures, but some great childhood memories too. Interestingly enough, and I suppose this may be the Y chromosome in me talking, both subjects in these pictures had the inexplicable capability of being able to blow up objects much greater than themselves.

writing

2007-03-22T23:59:00.000-07:00

I just completed an online handwriting assessment. In a nutshell, this is who I am:

Your handwriting shows that you are first and foremost an individual. A little rebellious and a lot quirky, routines bore you and you're happiest when things aren't operating on a set schedule (kind of makes school and work a drag, right?).
You seem intuitive to the point of almost being psychic, have friends from several different cliques and your clothing style is always changing. You probably have a passion for strange, found objects and might be a bit of a flakester (sometimes).

Try it yourself.

memories

2007-03-18T22:16:00.000-07:00

Fiji 1998

Just browsing through the last fourteen or so years of pictures and found some great memories. Check out the rest here.

reminders

2007-03-14T01:17:00.000-07:00

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

God isn't late with his promise as some measure lateness. He is restraining himself on account of you, holding back the End because he doesn't want anyone lost. He's giving everyone space and time to change.

The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.

The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

2 Peter 3:9

surreal

2007-03-10T18:33:00.000-08:00

terrace

2007-03-10T00:48:00.000-08:00

Not the greatest picture (actually a picture of a picture in a low lit room), but it is a great memory. Todd, Jeny (baby sister) and I spent the day out on the Skeena River waiting for the elusive salmon. Not too many hits, but when they did, prepare to fight for your right to get that coveted picture. What was more impressive was the airshow put on by a bunch (there's probably a better word) of eagles dancing in the skies. Alas! My I didn't want to get my camera wet so there remains no evidence save for my words. I suppose the greatest tragedy from this picture is that the $3 green hat I purchased from Wal-Mart is lost.

ecclesiastical

2007-03-07T23:39:00.000-08:00

Came across an interesting bit of scripture yesterday. I have yet to determine whether it takes an optimistic approach or if it's something that saddens me. In any case, I'm finding this book of Ecclesiastes oddly mysterious.

After looking at the way things are on this earth, here's what I've decided is the best way to live: Take care of yourself, have a good time, and make the most of whatever job you have for as long as God gives you life. And that's about it. That's the human lot. Yes, we should make the most of what God gives, both the bounty and the capacity to enjoy it, accepting what's given and delighting in the work. It's God's gift! God deals out joy in the present, the now. It's useless to brood over how long we might live.
Ecclesiastes 5:18-20

Would love to hear some thoughts on this.

best

2007-03-06T23:19:00.000-08:00

I just like this title; never heard the song.

timely

2007-03-03T16:22:00.000-08:00

bono

2007-03-03T14:31:00.001-08:00

If you don't know who Bono is, you must watch this clip from the NAACP.

journey

2007-03-02T23:40:00.000-08:00

Brian Doerksen has long been an inspiration to me. And this evening was no different. By chance I learned he was going to be performing in Abbotsford so I jumped at the opportunity, and—with good company—spent the evening worshiping with hundreds of strangers in a large Alliance church. Near the end of the evening he broke out into some old favourites, which seemed to re-energize the crowd, and we left with the assurance that the God we worship was praised tonight.

I was inspired (not for the first time) to try to put thoughts and reflections to paper and scribble out some sort of lyrics on my own. Here are my humble beginnings:

walrus

2007-02-24T21:26:00.000-08:00

I'm sticking to my guns: I think Jim Carrey is a remarkable actor. I heard this version of "I Am A Walrus" on my way home tonight from Abbotsford on the CBC.

2007-02-23T23:37:00.000-08:00

a rough estimate

I confess I often look with envy to those in greater financial standing than myself. There exists a perpetual if only syndrome that continually imagines me in some other’s situation. And with relentless, albeit passive drive, I cannot seem to shake it despite the fact that I am entrenched within the top ten percent of the world’s rich. According to the ‘Rich-O-Meter’ 317,421,272 people are richer than I am with a whopping 5,682,578,729 who are poorer than I am. As such I should be much more thankful than I am with my current situation. I have a decent place to live, a car, a steady job and a continual source of food. Indeed, I am at the top of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Why then should I want more?I think, perhaps, a simple redirection is in order. And it best is described in a song I heard some years ago, More:

More than oxygen, I need your love

More life giving food the hungry dream of

Also check out this great clip called The Miniature Earth.

pedometer

2007-02-18T19:01:00.000-08:00

I think I may have discovered my newest favourite internet tool: the Gmaps Pedometer. For runners, it has often been very difficult to estimate distances especially since we don't follow standard paths. With this utility, we can trace out our run paths, and the pedometer provides us with distance traveled. I'm in quantitative heaven!

pipes

2007-02-16T21:53:00.000-08:00

whistler

2007-02-11T19:55:00.000-08:00

Mountains. Sunshine. Skiing. These three things can have a remarkable affect on the human condition, or so was the case yesterday when I ascended the fog and clouds and found sunshine atop Whistler's peak. My only regret is that the time spent there was too short and I must return to work tomorrow.

moons

2007-02-01T23:30:00.000-08:00

For some time now I have held a rather inexplicable fascination with the moon, the lesser light. It has remained a symbol of consistency with a strong theological component. I think because, like myself when I'm pensive, it stands alone in the midst of a blackened sky, yet for some odd reason continues to shine forth a bright light. This light, of course, is not from itself; it merely reflects a greater light. To continue the metaphor continues to follow this path of truth in that sometimes light is not fully reflected, sometimes the light is that of the new moon.

Below are two shots of a couple nights ago as I fumbled through the settings on my camera. The camera too carries the metaphor in that it controls the amount of light it lets into its receptors. And perhaps further but bordering a complete departure from this comparison: the image becomes blurry with the lack of proper support.

Tonight marks the official full moon. Oral legend might speak of it as a time for mischief and lunacy. For me, it marks faithfulness and reflection.

single

2007-01-29T23:49:00.000-08:00

For some reason the whole pink and red motif of the Valentine season doesn't much appeal to me. I did, however, get a chuckle out of this Valentine's card I saw today while randomly perusing blogs. Enjoy!

work

2007-01-10T23:27:00.001-08:00

Sometimes I like the snow. Sometimes I don’t. Tonight I am of two minds about it. For the second time in as many days, it has cancelled work. I am, however, loathing tomorrow despite not have to work as there exists an entire driveway full of the white stuff for me to clear. It is further complicated as I have lost the shovels.