She's a good girl, loves her mama
loves Jesus, and americans too
She's a good girl, crazy 'bout Elvis
loves horses, and her boyfriend too

and it's a long day livin in ...recida(sp?)
there's a freeway, running through the yard
i'm a bad boy, i don't even miss her
i'm a bad boy, for breakin' her heart

John Mayer - Free Fallin'

It's been a different type of week. Maybe it's the accumulation of several things. But a few bumps here, and work starting to pick up for everyone, I find myself being alone a lot more. And it can get a little lonely, I realize that I've lost a little be of that adventurous spirit, and just being a little bit more lazy. It dawn on me that is when I tend to find God most, when I step out, and allow Him to direct my life. It is the procrastination, "must get this done" now type attitude that I find is hampering me. Right now, I am thinking the importance of Sabbath, and that I need to make a better schedule.

This weekend, I wrote a book report, got a little reading done, and try to do some more writing... but just couldn't do it... watched 4 movies (wanted, national treasure 2, four brothers, and michael clayton. stuff i had on my hd, but never watched...) didn't know what else to do. Oh there was a classmate's birthday, but there was quite a few new ppl i haven't met before.

Anyhow, to wrap up.... stumbled onto this song.... i felt the song really hit home for me for some reason.. can't quite explain it. http://www.myspace.com/johnmayer

Affordable and Yummy Foods

Never thought I'd say that about England, but I've found a couple gems here that I've been stocking :)

First we have the McVitie's Digestive Cookies - 88p for something like 500g, and they always come with some sort of bonus cookies! 88p is going to last me a week!

Next we have desserts, I think I've found some really good deals... they have this chocolate lava cake type dessert here, it's call triple chocolate pound cake :) And Cadbury has a 2-pack for £1. But I think I found the Sainsbury one a bit more tasty, that one was 3-pack for £1.58.



But today, I think I've found one that tops it all, a 600g package of Apple Strudel (no artificial flavouring, with organic apples!) And it was for £1! I mean yes, i had to bake it, it took like 25 minutes... but it was soooo tasty... And since it was so large, it was Safe to Share! And my Austrian friend said this Apple Strudel tasted authentic! Anyway.... these little food adventures have been been pretty good so far :D

Playing Hockey in a Developing Hockey Country

So I talk about sustainable development in a developing country, and how to balance between the industrial growth with an ecological sustainability facade, and how SD can be too easily compromise when there is an alternative mission of economic prosperity. Anyway, to draw a parallel, hockey here in England is at it's infancy. The core about hockey that appeals to most man is the speed of the game, fast moving puck, physical hard hitting plays, get in your grill, shove you while you're down type play. It's what us fans entice, watching players play on the fine line of intensity and skill. However, I've realize that at the core of the game where all fans across the world can appreciate, in developing countries, many of the basic necessities are not considered.

For one, changing room large enough to fit a team would be good to start off. As our team went to the Coventry arena, we notice, yeah, the rink it's a bit smaller, and it's not really "design" for hockey as you walk thru narrow passages with your bags and etc. But over all it's.... it's hockey... so whatever. But then, we realize both change rooms combined were not large enough to fit our team of 15. So we had to use the male washroom, set up some chairs, and change next to the fountain of urinals and sinks... Definitely a new team experience when your team is meeting between periods next to the sound of a Chinese water fountain.

Now, we joke about the change room on Saturday, but Sunday, this is a whole different story. First of all, drove about 3 and a half hour one way to get to our game, pretty much like the Leafs taking a road trip down the 401 to face the Sens. But of cause this is a slightly lower caliber hockey. But when we got there, it was literally an ad-hoc type arena. It seem like they built the rink, and just added pieces of brick around the rink to make an arena. I mean, it looked completely authentic to a small town small rink in northern Ontario. But with a small details they over looked, no boards in full contact hockey (actually not as bad as i thought it was going to be), blue line to blue line was about 5 strides on skates. And once you cross the blue line, you're pretty much at top of the slot for a great shot. Now for the facilities, roof was about 30 ft high, 2 change rooms, and an add-on shower which use to be a toilet stall. Now if you haven't picked it up, 2 change room sounds great, but what happens when the team before is changing out of their gear and you're about to play while they're changing? Ummm... good question.....

So what prompted me to post this blog was this.... on Sunday, our team was demoted to change from a Men's Washroom with chairs on Saturday, we changed in the stands on Sunday. Yup, out in public space, spectator area, that was the only area we could change. Absolutely hilarious. And most of you who's been in to a hockey change room knows this isn't like getting ready for baseball. Anyway, sorry to leave you with such imagery, but it was absolutely an experience. However, I must give credit to the guys running the rink, the ice was hard, it was solid, and good to play hockey on; the Zamboni driver was also quite quick and fast.

BTW, our first win 8-7! Go Blues!

Oh one more thing I like to add, driving in the UK is far more fun than I imagined. The turns, th round abouts, and the tight streets! Absolutely a blast. And... get this, my van I was driving, had a sixth-gear! Renault! Nothing like jumping into the deep-end when you are trying something new... left hand rules and left hand shifting.... great challenge! not to mention keeps you awake as you drive 500 miles over the weekend into the wee hours of the night.

VARSITY!

Each week feels shorter the the past... Pretty soon my term is going to be over in 4 and a bit weeks. I can't wait to go home :D

So I had my first match with the Cambridge Blues last night. Feels just like home! Went into this town call Coventry, and played at the Skydome Arena, in which there is also a Ricoh Arena. And get this, the rink was next to a giant IKEA, with a large theater with a "Montana's-esk" bar and grill place. With my hockey gear in one hand and a camera in the other, i definitely felt quite like home.

So the games are definitely different with contact! Man, hockey is at a whole different level when there is contact! Seriously, Don Cherry is right, you can't be afraid to go into the corners when you're going full speed, and you know the hit is coming! BUT IT IS NOT EASY! This 200lb guy chasing after you, and you are about to touch the puck and you know you're going to get rocked... soooooo... i kinda avoided getting hit by getting out of the way a couple times :P

Anyway, game was pretty fun, but I must admit, i was intimidated. I need to learn to hit, take a hit, and better control of the puck without looking down. Well, we lost this one 6-4, but it had some highlight reel moments, breakaway goals, bone crunching hits, heckling from fans, and a teammate even drew blood. So, I think I've figured out my role in the team :D, since i'm not the scorer, the enforcer, or even the get-in-the-corner blue collar player. I'm the driver of the team! hahaha... it's just like what I do back home! It's so ironic... I am driving my team mates to the game, and i'm one of 3 or 4 drivers that can drive to the game because I'm over 25 and can drive stick! Man it's funny how God works sometimes. Alright, got to get ready for my next game as we have 2 games in two nights.



http://picasaweb.google.com/hkwong05/CambridgeBluesVsWarwickPanthersNovember152008?authkey=SnnMdHfTd98#

Shoes...

Check this out,

I see these shoes every so often. At first, i thought it might of been shoes for people who want to be taller, then I thought, maybe it's designed for a disable person. Something to help with the walking? Anyway, time and time again i see these shoes at the stores. Finally, i started seeing people wearing them. The first time, an elderly gentleman was wearing it... and i thought... RIGHT! it's to help with old people walk... but later, i started seeing women in their thirties wearing it... And even later, others were wearing it, it was just everywhere and everyone.

So i decided to ask one day..... and boy, i felt silly, it was for good orthopedics... i think that's how you spell it. Anyway... these shoes... i wonder if anyone can ever make them attractive to wear.

So here's the thing, i found myself at an impass as i thought it was ridiculous to wear something looking so silly, (there were worst looking ones then these) yet it could be good for you... but now that i had a chance to think about it... isn't good posture and good health much more important then lookin' fine? But why is it that I just can't ever see myself wearing this... something that doesn't have a aesthetic appeal. I mean... it FEELS absolutely right... and I wouldn't care if no one was watching.... but what is it inside us that just appreciates something that looks appealing?

Moved...

Grant Park, November 5, 2008. Damon Winters, NY Times

For me, there are very rare moments where a public event truly captures and entices me emotionally. I can get excited, and I can be angry, but rarely does a movie or a public event really tug on my emotional strings as I just never find it personal. But as I watched the election this past Tuesday, feeling the sense of relief and joy from the Americans in the room, I felt their emotion, and it started to overwhelm me too. There was a sense humility amongst the Americans as the past 8 years was something they wish they can forget. I don't believe Obama is the saviour for the US, and I don't think he does either. But his intrinsic believe that American will change, and it will persevere through the collaboration of each American, black or white, straight or gay, conservative or republican, it is what makes the United States of America works. That sounded profoundly resonating and relevant to me and in my life. And I am excited to see him mobilize this change. While processing that, with emotion running high, and pictures of celebrities cheering and crowds crying, I found myself completely caught up in the moment. And when they pan to a shot of Jesse Jackson overwhelm with tears, I found myself remembering, this is the man that stood next to Martin Luther King when he was shot!.
Stood against discrimination, was accused of being linked to MLK shooting, made poor judgement remark against his cost when he spoke out against Obama. It one of those moment where time seem to pass slower, and you realize, you're witnessing, experiencing history.

Check out some photos from Damon Winters on NYT, this guy is good!
http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2008/11/05/us/politics/11052008_Accept_index.html

"I wish I could make music as a religion, then we can harmonize in this mission"
- Black Eyed Peas, Union.

Remember Remember, the 5th of November...

Apparently, this is a real memorial date...

BONFIRE NIGHT!





http://picasaweb.google.com/hkwong05/BonfireNight

History
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gunpowder_Plot
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/civil_war_revolution/gunpowder_robinson_01.shtml
Guy Fawkes/Bonfire night
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guy_Fawkes

It was a good day!

I guess when you considered yourself to have witness a part of history that will forever be recorded in textbooks and wikipedia (the election of the first African-America President of the United States of America). And the change is moving towards something that is intrinsically good for humanity; regardless of the rest of the day, I should have considered it to be a great day.

However I think what really brighten my day was being able to catch up with my sister, and just talk about things that are also effecting me... as simple as which suit should i buy?... Ga Jei, you're really great at helping me come to decisions when I'm indecisive.... such as stress relieve sometimes! Furthermore, having the chance to catch up with my great friends back at home. I truly felt blessed to haves relationships where we can just chat, and I can be myself! (which is huge!) And have that seamlessly be translated via limited technology of stationary video, and audio feedbacks. Thanks, you guys really made my day.

A quote I heard last night during the Obama acceptance speech; said with tears in their eyes, "I am once again proud to be American."

Are we more bitter today than we are yesterday?

So, our class had our first guest speaker from an associated school in the US. In anticipation, our supervising prof told us to read up on the articles he sent out. And just to give you an idea on what these articles were like, it was about 200 pages from 3 or 4 texts that he either co-wrote he reckon have influence his perspective. So spent countless hours preparing for these 3 lecture this past week, and anticipated this great, motivated, and intelligent speaker.

Now, before you start reminiscing on your worst prof, or begin thinking about Ms Kroboppel, let me just say this guy knew his stuff, and was extremely motivated! However, little by little, as lectures wore on, remarks that thought you heard, you begin to hear once more, expressed differently. You begin to scratch your head and ask yourself... did he just say what I think he did? You look around the room, finding several similar faces. But the rest of the class looks unfazed and somewhat captivated. Then he talks about something that you believe in, such as young people needing work that is empowering, so we need to create jobs for them. So you start giving him some more leniency. But as soon as you do that, he goes on saying that he will never quit and give up his position to a the next generation.?!? contradiction?

So I am tempted to just ask him to explain it.... but instead, i think about it objectively, and think I am understanding his point. And really, I would felt bad if I hijack the conversation on some bunny trail.

As the lectures in the week wore on with this professor, you begin to build an image on the fact that he is PRO-democratic, is extremely confident in his theories, has an opinion that is expressed in his undertone when he comments on staying at home moms. Not to mention the least, completely inappropriate examples where sexuality is used with poor reference. (It's funny how after class, when we started sharing, we all had similar questions and was appalled at some of the things he said. But yet no one said anything !?... Interesting..)

Anyway, I think I came to a couple conclusions over this weeks' interesting lectures. One is, you are what your heart is and the condition of your heart will leak and trickle through your developed social filters given enough time. Your filters will catch most of it, but really, there's a deeper heart issue. Second, well, it's more of a question, but... Do you become more bitter as you get older? I mean, this is a successful, well respected professor, teaching at one of the most prestigious US school. you ask.. is it? .... if so... how? but... why? Anyway, some food for thought.

"Above all else, guard your heart, for from it comes the well springs of life." King Solomon