Impress with Dell

The camcorder I ordered last night, I got it this afternoon. I am very impress by Dell now...

PST

I purchased two pillows from Interwood Direct for my parents. The compnay decided to charge PST on my purchased even the product is being ship directly to Alberta. They insist that the PST is to be charged based on billing address. I disagree since I done the same thing at Canadian Tire before and they didn't charge me PST. Just to be sure, I called the Province and they said I am right.

Future Shop Sucks

Hmm... there must be something wrong with me. How come I always experience bad customer service these days. Grace and I went to Future Shop and bought a camcorder in preparation of Jacob's birth. After we got home, we found out that Dell is selling it for $50 less. I called the store and they ensured me they will refund the difference. When I got there the manager said no and gave me attitude. My goodness, where is the customer service? Not to mention that I already ignored the poor attitude from the sales rep earlier already. Anyway, I bought the camcorder from Dell now and I will return the one from Future Shop as soon as I get the new one.

Just for fun, I found this site Future Shop Sucks. It is all about bad experience from Future Shop. It is interesting to know that so many people are on the same boat. Hahaha.... hmm... guess it isn't funny.

The Lord of the Flies

Done with this book and I don't like it that much. The plot isn't that exciting at all. I mean, not until I got to the last two chapters; anyway, it is close to boring for me.

@_@

Christmas ne... Grace got me a Lego Christmas Train Set and a snowman for my birthday and Christmas present. I like them a lot. The snowman is very cute and soft. I spent the whole afternoon to put the train set together. Thank you shu pao...

Freezing rain

After we finished at the mall, we went to UNY for some grocery shopping. The freezing rain had started, as we left, there was a guy outside who lost control of his bike and hit the ground pretty hard. Can't believe he was actually riding on this weather. It is on ice... It hurts...

Btw, the back of my car was frozen with a layer of ice when I arrived home.

The Mall

After the photo session, we went to Place Orleans then have lunch at Brother Wu. They had renovated and changed the menu a bit. I was looking forward to the 木須肉, but looks like they don't offer it at lunch (I didn't ask about it).

We hit St. Laurent after lunch, it is packed. I think there will be even more people tomorrow. We finally find the Christmas gift for Grace's parents, so we are happy about it. :)

Maternity Photo

After the breakfast, we went to Orleans to have a photo session. Grace find this lady from the net and we decided to take a set of maternity photo. The session took about 1 hour and I think the photo is acutally not bad. Can't wait to see the finish product ne.

Last working day before Christmas

Finally, the last working day before Christmas. As usual, today is the day you show up to work and say hi to everybody, and that's all it needed. Grace came to work with me today, so I introduced here to my coworkers. Afterward we went to Alfi on Parkdale for breakfast. I passed by this place many times but never actually went in. The breakfast is okay for $3.75 as it is a two eggs breakfast with ham, bacon or sausage plus coffee.

Nativity Scene

Time to do some catching up on the blog. The nativity scene we build was on display for the last two weeks at church. Thank you Lord for giving us this opportunity. Thank you Kelvin, Alan Chan and Godwin for helping out. The ornaments on the Christmas tree were created by a group of wonderful children. :)

Consider the Lilies of the Field

I done this song with Edward two weeks ago. It is called Consider the Lilies of the Field.

“After the Snows (avalanche lilies in mass field)” by Bob Johnson

For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith!

Matthew 6:25-28 (NASB)

Simpsons & The Lord of the Flies

Finished the Pride and Prejudice earlier and I started reading The Lord of the Flies. At the end of chapter one, I realized that I had seen the setting from the Simpsons before. And I had just confirmed it from Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Das_Bus).

West Coast News :)

I love this piece from today's Edmonton Sun By Graham Hicks...
(http://www.edmontonsun.com/News/Columnists/Hicks_Graham/2006/12/06/2652813.html)

Chilled Vancouverites face another day of winter. Another millimetre of peculiar white stuff fell, bringing the lower mainland to a standstill. Marijuana crop damage is in the billions. Scientists suspect the substance is a form of frozen water. Alberta experts are flying in.

With temperatures dipping almost to zero, Vancouverites are warned to double insulate lattes before venturing out. Police recommend people stay inside except for emergencies like running out of espresso or biscotti.

Drivers are cautioned to put convertible tops up. Several were shocked to learn their SUVs actually have four-wheel drive, although most have no idea how to use it. Weary commuters face soggy sushi, and the threat of frozen breast implants.

"The government has to do something," whined a Vancouver downtowner. "I didn't pay $700,000 for my one-bedroom condo just to be treated like someone from Alberta."

Call Home

Note to myself: Call home more oftern. Like once a month at least.

Pride and Prejudice

Finished read the book last night. Overall, I would say I like it. It is short, but I say it also tells the story efficiently. The major themes are love, class and reputation. Of course Dracy and Elizabeth overcame some stumbling blocks to make this a good love story; otherwise, Jane Austin focused more on the class and reputation of England at the time. Even today, a woman is still expected to behave in certain ways. Pride and Prejudice is worth reading.

School

Note to myself: Jacob will go to school as long as the school is open, no matter if there is school bus or not.

WINTER IS HERE!!!

The first snow fall of this winter...

For whatever reason, poeple at the school board cancelled all school buses; however, schools are still opened. What a joke!!! Hence, I am adding a new label for my blog called "Note to myself".

Wii played

Delievered the Wii to Bonnie and Patrick. We tested out together, it is fun and Wii played.

Something to think about every day

I felt God had spoken to me. I just started my devotion blog to make myself more accountable to Him and build a better relation with Him, but He reminded me what is the reason behind our devotional life. The following is taken from an article from 信望愛資訊中心's web site and the title is 武俠片神學――從電影《霍元甲》談基督徒的靈性操練:

基督徒談到靈性操練，最最普羅的思想就是認為，靈性操練能夠讓我們與上帝有「更親密的關係」。這種想法其實並不算錯，但常常會被簡化成一種「換取式的交易邏輯」：我們讀經、我們禱告、我們禁食、我們默想、我們操練，是為了能夠「換取」與上帝有更親密的關係。我們以為，只要多花時間在靈性操練上面，我們就能夠更「屬靈」。

基督徒應該常常問自己，我們所進行的操練，目的究竟何在？禁食，是為了某個不切實際的屬靈幻想，還是知道這有助於擺脫我們錯誤的安全感？獨處，只是因為人家說獨處好，還是知道能夠因此練習擺脫對世俗價值觀的倚賴？唯有如此，才能不再扭曲各樣的屬靈操練，真正讓靈性的操練，成為一個模塑我們人性與品德的管道。

正因這緣故，你們要分外的殷勤；有了信心，又要加上德行；有了德行，又要加上知識；有了知識，又要加上節制；有了節制，又要加上忍耐；有了忍耐，又要加上虔敬；有了虔敬，又要加上愛弟兄的心；有了愛弟兄的心，又要加上愛眾人的心。你們若充充足足的有這幾樣，就必使你們在認識我們的主耶穌基督上不至於閒懶不結果子了。（彼後一5～8）

Just got it...

It is in such a small package... hmm............. Is it really the nativity scene I ordered?

The Nativity Christmas Scene Project

I just got in touch with the company I ordered the "Pre-Painted Nativity Christmas Scene Project" from. They said, if I still don't have it this Friday, they will send me another one. Another prayer answered. Thank you my Lord.

遇見神

I was surprised by 張敬軒's latest CD 笑忘書. I found the following song in it.

遇見神
填詞/作曲：西伯　
編曲：褚鎮東
監製：金培達
＊看天邊飄過雲海　告訴世界幻變常在
　從來人在月缺下　盼月圓
　天天總有上演　告訴你我動人故事
　動人情節留下伏線　細心飾演
　如何人心粉碎像微塵
　無言留淚　滿身抖震
　如何遇見神　被擁抱　再得起身
　明明平安彷彿天邊遠
　流連遊盪　暗失方寸
　然而遇見神　被指引
　再生精彩心內滲＊
REPEAT＊
只因有你　今天有你　了不起

Can Wii play?

Got a phone call from Zellers last night and I picked up the Wii this morning. Thank you Lord that I was in the line-up on launch day because they were only taking names for the first hour. As they only got 2 that day and the management think it is a good thing to make it up to those who were there. I couldn't buy one online yesterday at BestBuy, they were all gone in 5 minutes. I kept clicking check out and I couldn't get through. Anyway, I got it now and will give it to the Lee's ASAP. Hope they like it.

Awake

Finally bought the new Josh Groban CD. After listening to it, I'm kinda disappointed. I mean Josh Groban is a great singer, but for some reason, every song in the album just feels the same. There is no variation at all. I am glad that I didn't buy the bonus edition which cost an additional $10 for 2 more songs and a DVD. It is not worth it at all.

Baby so often!!!

It has been a busy week of birth announcement from my friends. First, it was Sandy and Stephen. Then it was Derek and Priscilla. Well I am happy to have two new friends now and looks forward to meet them in the near future. Happy birthday to Sandra and Samuel.

About the readings

I don't know how long will it takes for me to finish reading the list I just posted, but I seriously hope that I can finish it. As I do try to read The Bible everyday, I already had a good head start.

I think I will start with Pride and Prejudice since Grace has a copy. Never read To Kill a Mockingbird although it was a require reading in grade 8 (my English wasn't good enough back then). The two books I read, Great Expectations and Jane Eyre, are excellent. I am sure to read them again later.

Reading materials

The Pulitzer prize-winning classic, To Kill a Mockingbird, has topped a World Book Day poll conducted by the Museum, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA), in which librarians were asked the question, "Which book should every adult read before they die?" They came up with the following list. There is a few on the list that I had read before. I am hoping to read them all.

(Red means I read it already...)

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
The Bible
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy by JRR Tolkien
1984 by George Orwell
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
All Quite on the Western Front by E M Remarque
His Dark Materials Trilogy by Phillip Pullman
Birdsong by Sebastian Faulks
The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
The Lord of the Flies by William Golding
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon
Tess of the D'urbevilles by Thomas Hardy
Winnie the Pooh by AA Milne
Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Graham
Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
The Time Traveller's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
The Prophet by Khalil Gibran
David Copperfield by Charles Dickens
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov
Life of Pi by Yann Martel
Middlemarch by George Eliot
The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver
A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess
A Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich by Alexander Solzenhitsyn

Life is short...

My mom just called me. In addition to the usual chit chat, she told me that Joe had passed away in Peru. He was robbed and killed with gun. I feel very upset about it. Joe and I was never very close, but we used to live across from each other. He is only 28...

Filet-O-Fish

The radio is talking about McDonalds right now. For some reason, I am longing for a Filet-O-Fish. The problem is I don't know where to get one, most McDonalds don't sell it anymore. Aiya... I just want one... a Filet-O-Fish ne.

Wii

Just came back from the Wii line-up. I didn't get it. There were only 10 at the Superstore and 2 at Zellers. I waited in line not because I am crazy about it, but hoping that I can get it for Patrick and Bonnie. They had been so nice by giving us all their baby stuff. The Wii is not much, but at least we can give something back to them. Heard that they will have shipment coming in starting next Wednesday and everyday afterward. Hope to get one soon.

Flames clip Red Wings 4-1

Ah... finally the Flames are back to their game. It is a 6 games wining streak now and hope they continue their wining way. The line of Iginla, Langkow and Tanguay is clicking now... and with Kiprusoff between in goal. Finally... Go Flames Go!!!

Tim Tim's Breakfast Sandwich

I ate an Egg McMuffin from McDonald this morning. I think it tasted much better than the breakfast sandwich from Tim Hortons.

2nd Ultrasound

Grace got her second ultrasound this morning. Dr. Yang think Jacob maybe a bit too big for his days. The ultrasound confirmed that it is probably just the fluids and Jacob is okay. Grace and I are so excited to see Jacob again. This time we got 4 pictures from the nurse.

*This picture is from the 1st ultrasound.

Heavy hearted

Just came back from the decons meeting... many issues needed to be resolved... much considerations needed to resolve the problems... it won't be easy... may the Lord bless us, keep us and guide us thru this difficult time...

Fresh start

I shut down my old blog at Xanga. I just wasn't really into it somehow. Maybe I can start fresh here la. Oh well, there were only 2 entries in my old blog anyway.

This year had not been easy. Many worries and disappointments. I guess that's life, right? Dianne had said that I haven't really been practising this year. She is right, I just don't have the heart really. Not only my vocal training, but everything. Hmm...

Anyway, this year is coming to an end and I am reaching a new stage in my life. A fresh start is always refreshing.