Hero’s change = my change

I was invited to take part and help my classmate Hero implement her change project today. We took surveys at St John’s Buttery to see whether people are in favour of a no-meat day, once a week. By taking part in the questioning, hearing the facts, and then processing it in my head to see how I might present this succinctly during the survey, I began to ponder what questions people might ask me in response. As a result of this process, I have come to the realization that the one meat-free day can be achieved pretty easily in my life, though I must mention that coming to such a conclusion was unintentional. I’ve discovered that the value of the survey to me is not a matter of whether I begin following the standard Hero asked for (one meat-free day per week), but that I am now more conscious of the fact that when I choose my meal, I CAN choose a less carbon-intensive vegetarian meal, and yet I don’t need to feel bad for eating meat either. I am now more aware of the facts in my meal choices, and am wrestling with the choices towards eating a less environmentally impactful meal so that I can live happily informed, and not by bliss through ignorance.

Upon further reflection, I realize that by positing my efforts and progress on my blog, my friends have the chance to, hopefully, pick up the language of sustainable living, and that my blogging has been part of my role of change agent. Hopefully, my effort to step out of my comfort zone has had an incremental yet profound effect on their perspectives of what they can do. Furthermore, I hope anyone reading this would become more conscience about recycling, while fostering the idea of re-using as an attractive alternative like vintage clothing, realise the curb in consumption when people are tracking their behaviour(water bottles & disposal cups), and also be educated that eating meat, is generally more carbon intensive, hopefully encouraging effort in less meat consumption.

Advice from an Unlikely Source

The housekeeping lady, Heidi was just cleaning my kitchen and bathroom, and we started talking about pancake since I was having some. She noticed I collected all these cardboard boxes (pizza boxes) and she explained to me how it’s rubbish that Wolfson’s paper recycling is so inconvenient. She offered to take them by the main recycling bin for me, and I explained to her my change challenge. We struck up a great conversation, and I found that she use to work for Clare College, and they have paper recycling for each room. I asked whether she would mind having to carry a separate bag for recycling, and she was more than delighted as she’s practices recycling at home. She also mentioned that the housekeeping staff at Wolfson are generally accommodating. She in fact would prefer each student having their own paper recycling, and collecting it on a weekly bases similar to that from Trinity Hall. This paper-recycling project is materialising quite nicely.

Responses from Green Officers

So I’ve received 4 responses from other green officers:

• According to Steve from St. Catherine’s College their collection for paper recycling is in the kitchen, and student volunteers empty it.
• Michael from St. John’s said that his college gives a biodegradable bag to each student; the bedder empties the bag when it is full.
• Joan from Homerton said they have central paper recycling bins in their kitchen, and that it gets emptied into the college primary recycling bin twice a week where it is collected by the recycling company. She thinks the key is not to collect too much paper at one time in an open bin as it would present a fire hazard.
• Laurie from Trinity Hall said that each student has a separate bin to collect paper, and the bin is emptied once a week. She was able to convince the bedder that the students would be throwing the paper in the rubbish bin anyway, so there is no extra waste collected.
  

I believe there is something to be learned from each response. For one, having personal recycling bins in every room is feasible since it can be argued that there is not an overall increase of workload: students will be throwing paper away regardless if there is recycling. Thus, providing a recycling bin, gives students the option to recycle. Alternatively, a central recycling bin in each block could also work as examples taken from other college show that the fire hazard concern can be overcome. Now I need to set up the meeting with Saman, the bursar, housekeeping, and maintenance to present them with the three options for recycling paper; hopefully they will buy into the idea.

A New Hope

So, do you remember how I said the product exchange between students idea was dead in its tracks several weeks ago? Well, stand back, because it’s alive again. I love how things work themselves out sometimes. I told several people about my idea of to setting up a product exchange, and the problem of there being no feasible location. Well, Uven, a Graduate Student Representative mentioned the idea to the Student Graduate Union President, and the President likes the idea. In fact, a room is coming free by the end of the school year, and I am going to get a chance to speak with the president of the grad union to present this idea, help students get settle in for free (or much lower cost), while also reducing University of Cambridge’s carbon footprint. Hallelujah! Cartoon, [Friedman, D., 2008] http://www.ironicsans.com/images/anewhope.png

Possible Locations for Recycling

So today, I went to take pictures of the college. I never realized how unique each of Wolfson’s21 blocks are. There are about 8 unique floor layouts in Wolfson, and I went to collect empirical data by taking photos of where current recycling bins are located, and possible location to place new recycling. So far, I think there is a really good potential for each wing to have their own central recycling bin. This would also be good visual tool for the bursar and housekeeping staff to see where recycling bins can be placed.

The ball is rolling!

[Steinberg, 1963] http://www.cartoonbank.com/Assets/1/66286_s.gif
I found the contact for the green officer at Wolfson, Saman and sent him an email yesterday asking for an existing green project I can champion, and that I would like to help out in any way possible. He was extremely helpful as we met today to talk about ongoing green projects at Wolfson and my ideas for change. I told him that I am not trying to add to his workload, but that I would be happy to champion any of the existing projects on his list. Saman was very supportive of my ideas, and told me the personnel that I will need to get on-board are the bursar, housekeeping staff, and maintenance staff. This was extremely helpful information, and it also helped that he wanted to see these initiatives through.

I guess from this experience, I learned that if I was looking at the situation from the point of view of the people that I approached, I would have wanted the person approaching me to have looked into what green projects were already in place. I’d like to be approached by someone who came with a serving attitude, and was willing to learn about the system, instead of being the new guy with all the ideas and answers, who then leaves after 5 months. I think this also speaks loudly about the type of person you are, one that takes time to notice what good is already happening, and then add try to it by investing your time, ideas, and effort. This would be the kind of person I would want on my team.

From speaking with Saman, I discovered that I need to do a couple things to get these changes rolling. First, we agree that it would be better to have one person contact the bursar, housekeeping staff, and maintenance staff to get their buy-in before setting up a formal meeting. Saman has offered to do this as he has a working relationship with them. As for the paper recycling, there are several issues, the most important one to overcome is that it is a fire hazard. Currently, common recycling bins (glass, plastic, and cans) are placed in the kitchen or hallway. The argument against offering recycling bins in the kitchen is that paper in the kitchen would be a fire hazard. The second issue is that we might dramatically increase the workload of housekeeping if we place recycling bins in each dorm. Instead of reinventing the wheel, my first task will be to contact green officers in other colleges to find out how they overcome the fire hazard issue, and whether the housekeeping staff in other buildings are okay with collecting paper recycling from each dorm. Second, I will survey the entire Wolfson College campus to see if I can find at least one suitable location in each wing to place a central paper-recycling bin. As I mentioned before, there are only 3 places to recycle. I admit, during the past several months, I rarely made the trip out to these recycling bins myself.

February

Photos [BBC News, 2009]

I can't believe it's the second week of February in 2009!

Oh man, I think i realize the significance of this, as I have 4 more weeks of Lent term, and it's Easter! That means a TON of assignments, and a lot of catching up. I was just getting back into the grove of things, and I've stacked... and also readjusted my schedule so that it is more manageable. I've stop being as ambitious in attending all the classes i'm interested in. I've learned to take time for Sabbath, hanging out and having brunch, cooking and making crepes with straberries, blackberries, bananas, lime juice, pomegranate, nutella.... not all together of course... but it made a good friday into a wonderful friday!

So i'm finally feeling the squeeze a bit, and started picking up on my work :D I love and also hate how i work off emotions... when i feel the urgency, i tend to work so much more efficiently. And i've been more focus... so i hope i'm retaining more of the information i'm studying!

Furthermore, been getting to know a couple friends here my college... quite by chance to be honest... but God's put them in my life, and I'm completely grateful. I found a friend that I can relate to, and it's been wonderful. We've been helping each other out a bit in our walks too, coincidence ;) It's amazing how things work out. Anyway... life's moving and changing again... so i'll definitely try to keep up in my next post.

Assignment is due in a couple weeks!

Blame it on time management, or lack of ideas, but I need to get a move on this Change assignment. I need to come up with something where I can make more progress, I am going to pursue the paper recycling idea and see where I get.

An experience with the Porter :(

I had my first “encounter” with the porters in which it seems like I am asking them to give up one of their kidney. It wasn’t the most pleasant experience as I was asking David, whether there is a location in Wolfson to store items so that students can pass on some basic utensils and products to students in the following year. In short, they pretty much told me that there is no room for storage, and that if I have anything to sell, just post it to the Wolfson junior member email. I think I ran into several problems going this route, first, I went in thinking the porters were there to help me, I was completely wrong on that. Second, I think David figure that there is something similar in place and this would be redundant. Third, I think he thought this was extra work for them, managing the extra items and there would not be of any benefit for them. So this was a completely dead end, I couldn’t even get a name to explain my idea to someone else. He kind of rushed off and left me there. It was disappointing to be rejected.

My motivation was to start a chain of exchange program, no money involve, just students leaving useful product to other students, easing the load on their wallet as that first month in Cambridge can get very expensive. Also, this scheme would help students leaving Cambridge to feel more environmental friendly as their product is finding a good home without needing to do the work to sale small items. I am convinced after sharing this idea with several friends and classmates, that there is definitely a demand for this type of system, and that it is a good idea.

Ideas… Need some ideas…

Oh wow, Philippe’s already started his project, he’s collecting data on our plastic bottle and disposable cup consumption. I need to start thinking of ideas. So far, I’ve come up with two ideas that might be feasible.

1. Setting up a product exchange between students.

Being a frugal student, and only being here for 1 year, I would have appreciated access to pots and pans, dishware, cutlery, and other relatively inexpensive, but too heavy to bring items. Since Cambridge is very international, and has a high rate of student turnover, I think there must be excessive amount of waste at the end of the school year for each student. It would be great if some of these products can be passed on to students in the following year.

2. Paper recycling at Wolfson College.

To my surprise, Wolfson College does not have paper recycling. Let me rephrase that, it does, but only in 3 key areas: next to the Porter’s lodge, in the computer room, and next to the main dumpster. I am hoping to make recycling more accessible for each student.
I am going to have to do some initial research for these ideas.

Need Your Ideas!

This is going to be a short post. As I am my conscience is not at ease. I recently saw a photograph of a public punishment carried out by the Taliban on the Financial Times, a picture of a 4 men holding down a person on the ground, and a fifth beating the man on the ground. I was compel to read on, I realize how the Taliban has slowly began invading Pakistan, with a non-responsive (or slow to respond) government. Meanwhile, people are being threaten and killed, schools bombed, women oppressed, education for women, forbidden, and broadcasting over the radio their ideas, and the people who have disobey their order, and will be punished, or killed.

I was pretty disturbed by this already, and then this event was contrasted by the Cambridge Student Sit-in at the University Law Department to get action from the University condemning the action of Israel on Gaza. I am by no means an experts in this area, but to me, the situation is complex, and representation of any side on Gaza is highly partisan. Yet there is a voice, from the students at Cambridge that wish for the University to take a stance against Israel's action. And I feel stuck at wanting to do something about the situation in Swat, Pakistan. I know petitions can be created, and action can be done... but what is "literally", the first step? I am completely new at this, i haven't been able to find other groups to encourage or promote action internationally to alleviate the oppressed and restore peace in Swat. Any ideas?

Or as they say in china...Piong Pong!

Haven't had a chance to post this because i never uploaded the pictures i wanted to link with this post. Anyway, it was another trip to London... great trip to Borough Market, would definitely suggest it if you're ever here. Follow by some skating at Somerset House.... Tiffany's sponsored!

BTW, there's this restaurant call Ping Pong! it was so funny, reminded me of Balls of Fury, this urban yuppie, yet trying to be traditional chinese restaurant. Not to mention expensive. But yeah, it was fun... went witha couple of friends... had a bunch of dim sum, and surprisingly, it was quite traditional... most of it anyway.... anyway, just some pictures.



http://picasaweb.google.com/hkwong05/SkatingAtSomerset#

Movie Movie Movie

Things are getting back into full speed here in Cambridge, and even though physically I'm just about there, i'm mentally not quite there.... the insecurities are kind of creeping up on me once again. Nothing major, but i find i am not picking up the words and sentences sometimes when the lecturer is presenting, or i find myself losing track on where the class is going. And it's a vicious reciprocating cycle because you then spend time thinking or trying to understand what you just heard, and you begin missing the next important point. Anyway, my point is, i think i need to get my emotions back up so that i can learn like the first term. But i know emotion doesn't last, and there needs to be that hard working ethics and focus that i will need to get me anywhere.... argh... so tough... i work so much better under pressure or when i really enjoy something.... potential that i can't tap!






(6.5/10)







(8.5/10)







(8.5/10)


So one of the ritual i've kind of gotten use to here in Cambridge is going to this theater call the Arts Picturehouse. It's a great place to see films, the crowd... reminds me of back home, not just students, sophicated working people, from their 20s to 60s i think. They all kind of hang out there half an hour before the film starts grabbing a snack and having a drink, and just having a merry ol' time. The film selection there have been most excellent.... Slumdog Millionaire (great recommendation!), Cha (had higher expectations), Frost/Nixion (excellent, really enjoyed it, didn't know Frost graduated from Cambridge :D), there was also Waltz with Bashir, and there other great films..... But seen 3 movie in just over a week! Love student pricing, and the wine and beers you can bring into the theater with the soft comfee seats! So relaxing... i think it's one of my fav place in Cambridge for getting away!

Cambridge Winter Ale Fest

Ummm... had a good week, realize the tonnes of lectures i want to attend won't be possible... but discovered Master's taught courses in Social Anthropology, Economics, Development Studies, and Geography. And Apparently, they all offer something that i'm interested in and seems relevant.. so sat in on an Economics for the Developing Country Class.... whao.... totally over my head..... covalents? huh? Than sat in this geography/social policy class.... neo-marxism, brown policy? man... lingo people, lingo.... makes learning so much harder when you don't have a foundation.

Anyway, went to a Ale Festival tonight at the Uni Grad centre. It was quite neat.... spend sometime with my hockey team, then spend some time with my class.. had a 4.5% Straw Bear, follow by a 4.5% Rasberry Wheat, finally finished with a %10 Gouden Christmas Ale.... that did me in.... i was just smiling and being silly for the rest of the night! It was such an interesting setting, the venue really wasn't that spectular, mostly standing room only, and the beers were not cold. But once you had a few in ya, everything just mellowed out and became more enjoyable! And the best part was getting in was free, and the beer, except for the 10% ones weren't too expensive! Anyway, here were the list of beers:

sorry, no pictures, didn't know how the event was going to be, lugging around the SLR i thought might not of been a great idea in a venue where beer is the main item, and people will be walking around with their full mugs.

Beer Festival Beer List!

Bartrams, Rougham, Suffolk: Comrade Bill Bartram's Egalitarian Anti
Imperialist Soviet Stout, 6.9% - (I as a good member of King's intend to
raise this one to Trotsky as well) Mother In Law's Tongue Tied, 9% New Year
Daze, 5.2% AH64, 6.4%

Batemans, Wainfleet, Lincolnshire:
Salem Porter, 4.7%

Beeston, Beeston, Norfolk:
On The Huh, 5%
Norfolk Black, 6%

Brandon, Brandon, Suffolk:
Rusty Bucket, 4.4%

Cambridge Moonshine, Cambridge, Cambs:
Chocolate Orange Stout, 6.7%
Minions of the Moon, 4.6%
Pigs Ear Porter, 4.5%
Barton Bitter, 4%
SKP, ?%

Dark Star, Haywards Heath, West Sussex:
Espresso Stout, 4.2%

Dykes End, Reach, Cambs:
?, ?%

Earl Soham, Earl Soham, Suffolk:
Jolabrugg, 5.2%
Sir Roger's Porter, 4.1%

Elgoods, Wisbech, Cambs:
Black Dog Mild, 3.6%
Greyhound, 5.2%
Wenceslas Winter Warmer, 7.3%
Straw Bear, 4%

Elmtree, Snetterton, Norfolk:
Dark Horse Stout, 5%
Golden Pale Ale, 5%
Nightlight Mild, 5.7%

Elveden, Thetford, Norfolk:
Harwich Charter Ale, 10%

Fat Cat, Norwich, Norfolk:
Winter Special, 5.1%
Stout Cat, 4.6%
Marmalade Cat, 5.5%

Front Street, Fakenham, Norfolk:
Ebony Stout, 4.5%

Harwich Town, Harwich, Essex:
Sint Niklass, 8.6%

Hopshackle, Market Deeping, Lincolnshire:
Historic Porter, 4.8%
Special No 1, 5.2%
Double Momentum, 7%

Humpty Dumpty, Reedham, Norfolk:
Porter, 5.4%
Railway Sleeper, 5%

Iceni, Mundford, Norfolk:
Winter Lightning, 5%
Men Of Norfolk, 6.2%
Raspberry Wheat, 5%

Milton, Milton, Cambs:
Pegasus, 4.1%
Cyclops, 5.3%
Mammon, 7%
Moorhouse's

Burnley, Lancashire:
Pendle Witches Brew, 5.1%

Old Cannon, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk:
Black Pig, 4.8%
Best Bitter, 3.8%
Gunner's Daughter, 5.5%

Potbelly, Kettering, Northamptonshire:
Beijing Black, 4.5%
Jingle Bellies, 5%
Crazy Daze, 5.5%

Ringwood, Ringwood, Hampshire:
XXXX Porter, 4.7%

St Peters, South Elmham, Suffolk:
G-Free, 4.2%

Tipples, Acle, Norfolk:
Crackle Winter Ale, 6.5%

Tydd Steam, Tydd St Giles, Cambs:
Armageddon, 5%
Piston Bob, 4.6%
?, 4.1%

Wissey Valley, Stoke Ferry, Norfolk:
Cherrypickers Stout, 6%
Khaki Stout, 6.7%

Woodforde's, Woodbastwick, Norfolk
Headcracker, 7%

Update

So the school term has commenced once again. And I'm just getting back into the full swing of things. But for the past three weeks I've been back, I took full advantage of being in the UK, traveling to Paris with a friend to enjoy the uniqueness of Paris' atmosphere and the fine 5 course French food that everyone's talked about, and finally experienced.















So they started us with this green ice cream looking thing, with strains of dry scallop, it was weird.... look like pistachio ice cream, but tasted not cold, salty, and foamy. Then i had some Fois Gras lentil soup, and my friend had some nice fusion of cold lobster soup. Had a nice buttered, spinach oyster, i had a nice pork from the back rib with a starchy paste that mixed really well... Oh we also had a bottle of Bordeaux, it was great! Really tasted great with the meal! Maybe a bit strong, but can't complain. We had a plate of cheese on the menu, but decided against it since it was €4 extra. Ummm.... the dessert, darn, i'm stumped, i don't remember what i got! Anyway, i was too hungry to get pictures for all of them, i completely forgot when the food came. The resturauant; L'Os a Moelle. Chef: Thierry Faucher. Food: Great/Excellent (a bit exotic, and different from traditional French food i think). Check out the pictures in the link! (must confess there aren't that many shots of the food)

http://picasaweb.google.com/hkwong05/ParisInJanuary2009#

Assignment to Initiate Change

So it’s the beginning of a new term, and today, I received the syllabus for one of my core modules, Implementing Change Towards Sustainability. The first assignment is leading a personal change; this is going to be tough, we have just over a month to implement some change, so the action I choose has be small enough to be achievable within this timeframe, yet I don’t want to do anything just for the sake of doing something. But maybe it’s how you start something small. I will give this some thought. On another note, there are new students joining us in this class, I hope to learn from their experience and perspective. Oh, I’ve decided to use my blog to track the progress of the change I'll be initiating.

London in 2009

It's nice to be back in the UK. I had a few days to unwind before participating in our class role play of a public inquiry today concerning the renewable energy tidal project. I was really surprise at how much I needed the alone time. I can't remember a time where I was recharging when sitting alone watching some movie or reading a book. I always remember being more of an extrovert and just enjoying the companies of others. Anyhow, had 3 days of just sleep, reading, and watching TV, which was amazing because I got really into the story of the Genesis, and now Exodus, and I'm absolutely curious and I'm wrestling with the scripture.
















London was splendid, i went and explored a different part of the town, going as far as my legs would take me before taking a late train back to Cambridge. I went to the Portobello Market, and it was festive! Waves of locals were walking through the markets shopping, i walked around and enjoyed looking at the creativity of the artist selling their ideas, product and art... and i walked into the shoe stores hoping to find a deal on a brown pair of boots.... but alas! However, i did notice the great and interesting barrage of fashion of the people here which made the journey through the market an enjoyable one. I will definitely bring my friends visiting from out of town here if they decided to come visit!
















Then, I went to the Natural Science Museum followed by the V&A, I love how they put a skating rink right in front of the lovely historic architecture and make it look fitting. It's just fantastic! I love the Natural Science Museum, I felt like a kid again, saw a model of the giant blue whale.... and all i could think about for some reason was "you're my boy blue!, you're my boy!" Weird how pop culture jumps and leaves my mind... :S The V&A was amazing, again, i found my favuorite room, Raphael's Cartoon of the ACTS. It was great, just sat there, in a dimly lit, but very large room, starting, admiring, and studying at these 20x30' paintings of how Raphael is attempting to convey the same passage I read in Ananias (ACTS 5). And it's amazing when you have some background information on the text, you notice who Peter is in the painting because of he firm posture. And I'm just staring at the rest of the picture trying to understand where he get the inspiration for the others? Why were there always so many people? Where are they? I thought they all sold their houses? Anyway, i felt like one of those old people who just sat there for a good length of time before the curator told me the museum was closing.




















Afterwards, I enjoy the other "finer" things in life at Harrods' Winter sale (supposedly it's a big deal), and i realize i missed a monument to Princess Diana that is in the store and the great food it serves. But it was ridiculous how packed it was, and i looked at some prices, and realize i wasn't really going to buy anythere here, and so i made my way out and to Harvey Nichol. You'd think i learned my lesson the first time around, but yeah, i learned it the second time around.

Finally, it was off to Baker Street Station as I wanted to walk through Marylebone High St. area as supposely there was markets and quaint shops. However, it was already 7pm, and the market was closed, I just ended up browsing through the street, admire the window display, and winter lights which was again very festive. Oh, i must mention, i pretty much had my headphones/ear muffs on most of the the day. It was me continuing this introverted journey. So it's been pretty much enjoying the music/sermon from my iPod and having conversation in my head (one times i almost made conversion with this really cute asian as we both couldn't fit in the tube train as it was overpacked. But we didn't really make good eye contact, and i was a little chicken esp. since i've been thinking to myself for a while...... you know what goes on up there don't make a lot of sense unless you know me :D) Anyway, i ended up listening to Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Live at the Sands as I walked through the lid night streets of London. It was so suiting, and i can't quite describe it, but it was absolutely Perfect. It was a great way to end the night.

Oh, stopped by a very posh looking grocery store, and bought a couple boxes of relatively high class cookies, nope, no second class supermarket this time :D

To better describe what I'm writing... CLICK HERE! http://picasaweb.google.com/hkwong05/London2009#

Toronto and Christmas

It is just like Toronto to have weather like the three weeks I was back for Christmas. Much like an emotional mood-swings, I came back to a week of -7 to -11ºC, with intermittent heavy snowfall.

Then, it got warm in the last week, somewhere along 4-8ºC with heavy rainfall. It wasn't fun. So on Christmas eve, i was on a mission to produce some Christmas cards. This was one of these last minute Hang Kit projects where i figure i'd go downstairs to the art shop, and buy some card stock, buy some colour base paper for framing, then look for a photo that represented Christmas and put that on the front of the card.

I really didn't think it would be difficult as I felt I had this new sense of looking at life, and how God has created the world, it wouldn't be difficult to find a sort of picture that warms the heart or a sort of miracle :) But, i was wrong, it was the heaviest rain fall i've ever been walking outside in Toronto, and probably anywhere.... it was deceptive since it was winter, and it was so cold a week earlier, that you figure the rain wouldn't be wet. Yeah... makes total sense... Anyway, ended up almost giving up until I went to Nathan Phillips, when I saw two people skating. One with a cowboy had, and both with umbrellas (smart!) must of been out of towners i thought, since NO one brings an umbrella in Toronto in the winters, and let along walk in the winter. Anyway, it ended up one of them is from Germany, and the other (in yellow) said he was local... (i still don't believe him, i mean cowboy hat, yellow down jacket in 5ºC weather, with a matching sunflower seed umbrella? okay, maybe) But either way, they were talking, and just skating with the most fun in the worst of conditions for skating. Something that I think as a Canadian we (myself included) take advantage of, the excellent facilities we are blessed, and just how to make the most of a crummy situation.... it was nice, smiles, and chatting, they sincerely look like they were having fun skating. Anyway, that was my picture for the Christmas cards... not sure if the picture really translated it.

Break Over

It's been a great break from school, long enough to be considered a real break too. I am ready to take couple days to refocus and be compose for the up coming term. I am pretty excited for the up coming term. It was unfortunate that everyone is so busy during Christmas... well, fortunate actually, but what i mean to say is that i only get to spend a portion of time with some of my friends as its split between family, significant other, and other friends. But it is absolutely fortunate that we can spend time with so many of our love ones.

I think one thing that is really missing and the gap continually widening is my relationship with our Father. I thought things would get better as i get home, and reintegrate with my small group as well as with church. But in fact it didn't get better, it just prolong the inevitable. I need to really do something about my discipline... i've seen the signs, and did nothing. Now, when i am praying and reading the bible, i feel disconnected, and unfocused. Anyway, just more complaining than anything, i know i need a change.

Well, Toronto, it's been great for the past 3 weeks, i can't wait to come back. But this time, i think i will definitely plan a bit more..... and just get away to other areas too. But i am also hoping to be able to entertain more guest in the UK this upcoming year. Anyway, will write again when i land in the UK.

It's a White Christmas!

So I am back in Toronto for Christmas this year. It's been great seeing friends, old roommates, and family. It's amazing how things.... seem different when you come back after stepping away for a little while. I think when you're away, you end up having to answer questions you wouldn't of otherwise asked, prepare everything things that you might not need to when you're settle, and lastly, be dependent on the grace of others you have no expectation of. I find myself realizing that I am more comfortable and confident of who i've become, questions of ethics and action are more firmly answered. When you're with a new group of people constantly, you find out whether you're okay with being alone, when you have to be flexible and wait for others, put others first. Then you realize, when you're in a new town as a student, where it is definitely not as convenient without a car, you realize whether you CAN walk for class, grocery, get around, and basically whether you can setup camp in a new country. I have so much more appreciation for people who don't drive and manage just fine. And finally, an affirmation of God's grace is visible, when you step out of your comfort zone, and is living the journey you that suits you at this time, you open up the opportunity for external and whether random help. People you meet for the first time lend you a £100 bike, classmates offering to cover for you when you don't have an account setup for printing or food. Then you also have the consistency of God's character in all people, caring, and living compassionately for people around them. Simple things like offering to carry bags of grocery, and accompanying others to keep them company. It's been very rewarding to walk this new journey.

Coming back now, I realize how many friends I have here in Toronto, I have some really good brothers who challenged me in my faith, and some that i can just hang out and call at anytime. I had one of the funnest nights in my recent memories. Just meeting up and hanging out led to walking through the city underground path and browsing through the close stores. It was especially great because there is a level of familiarity, and yet, there was catching up and learning more about a friend. Anyway, definitely fun.

So, yes, back in Toronto, it's been snowing pretty hard, and it looks like we'll be having a white Christmas. There is definitely a level of excitement and familiarity that comes with a white Christmas for me. As far back as I can remember growing up here in Toronto, it's always white on Christmas.... except for the past several years, where the climate has been fluctuating more. But with a white Christmas, I'm reminded of the good old days, much like I am reminded of that being back here in Toronto.