stephen lewis

this noon i had the opportunity to hear stephen lewis. he started lightly and then delved into the issue of human rights. he talked from his heart of the plight of poverty, aids etc. it was moving at the end hearing the horror some of the children in africa is facing. these children do not have a childhood. i question myself, as a religious man what am i doing. i was challenged by mr. lewis to not retreat back, but to move foward. there is so much to grasp. this week is international week at the u of alberta. and i was fortunate to hear what stephen lewis had to say.
i also got an opportunity to meet and say some words to mr. lewis. i plan to write letters to my mp, to the new pm and to other world leaders. to write and urge some changes. i am but one man but we do need to look at what we should be doing. is it not as Jesus said to feed the hungry, shelter, visit the ones in prision. it is time for all christians to get active.

reflecting through the week

it's friday night(when i started writing it was. just writing sometime after midnight). i just came from the restaurant. what a busy night. lots of take outs and eat in as well. this night happens to be the last day for one of our sushi chef. he's worked for us about 4 years. he just graduated from culinary school and is moving on. i wish the best. this is something i should say to him but i'm going to share here. it's something that i need to keep in mind. first i like to say, i didn't realize working/helping out in this service business would be hard. especially hiring and training new people. we'd had our shares of good workers and some not so. the kid whose moving on, has been good. at times he could have been better. but he's still young and he has many years to learn. what i like to say to him is, give respect to those ppl who helped you on your journey. tell what is going on clearly. you have so much to learn. and i hope you get sharpened in your new workplace. all the best to him and others who have moved on.
this business has made grown. and is teaching me things about my growth. i'm wondering about whether i want to be still in the restaurant business. if so, i have so much to learn.

stock,lock and election

well it seems in canada, many people are talking of election. i'd like to share my thoughts. first i believe some change is needed in the canadian politics. for one, i'd like to see a set date for election and that the government stays in power for at least 4 years. also some better representation.
on the other side of the ocean, the biggest news happens to be the arrest of a president of a certain company. what happened seems like what happened with enron in the states. the man was arrested on the charge of falsifying stock claims and telling lies about his company. men like this president and also men of enron think they are smart. and indeed they are probably smart. i think just being head smart makes you successful. there needs to be more than that. one has to have a mind to think roundly. and also not get caught up in trying to make money. indeed we in north america are wanting more money. yes we do need money but some of us are so caught up, we don't realize what is important. the bible talks about money many times. and Jesus too, talks lots of it. we do need to have a substantial income. however we need to be cautious of making money our idol. and for this president, making money, buying companies etc. was his idol. i hope he does repent and realizes what he did was wrong.
in my life i struggle financially. as well with my future. i believe there is a great future waiting for me. even if it is staying in the restaurant business. i hope i know what is right for my future.

fourth time with trainer

this morning i had my fourth session with a personal trainer. she made me work hard this time. we did some weights and some cardio. i had difficulty with some of the exercises. i question how all of this leads into me losing weight. i should ask some questions. my body is not used to all of these exercise however i'm doing my best. i'm surprised at times how i'm able to do some of the exercises. i hope i could keep myself healthy and not strain myself out. it's been working well and i do enjoy some of the exercise. i hope i continue to work out. i don't want to be an old man with a big belly like some ppl i know. well i should pray to God for strength at times. rest tomorrow and back with the trainer on friday.

vision for a church

this morning started early, well for me it is early. i've been getting up around 7am these last weeks. it's good but i hope i don't burn myself. anyways, i went to a meeting with the japanese church. it eventually became a time for everyone who attended to share their vision; of what they would like to see happen in the church. i was almost at the end so i got to listen to everyone before i shared. i have not been going to the church the past year. only going a few times. yet it seems that i'm needed. i got that impression when i was talking with my friends.
everyone had good ideas of their vision. one suggested we needed our focus to always to be on God. and that the church needs to be theologically grounded. i don't like the word theology to be used in front of many ppl. i do agree that as a church to grow we need to see where God is work at. and to be in the word of God. plus as someone mentioned, a church that continues to pray/be in conversation with God (my thought on prayer is). when the church is seeking God, staying grounded in His word, and in conversation, then i believe some change will occur. so on sunday i will be in conversation with a friend on sunday school. i suggested my interest and i feel it's important to have a solid sunday school. i hope that in 3-5 years the vision that God has i believe will help this church to grow.

somethings to fix

well the weekend is coming. for anyone in restaurant business, friday could be busy. for us it was really busy. funny thing, the order for the first 2 hours in the kitchen were the same. tataki and agedashi was all we were sending out.
now about the fix part. there's many aspects of myself i need to fix. first is in regards to my anger. i need to relax and calm down. i have to be slow in anger. another is swearing. i have to stop swearing at times. it's not good. there's better words. and so i think these things to resolve. tomorrow is another day and i need to fix myself.

the week so far

i look at this blog as my place, to reflect and to touch on my life. the week so far has been somewhat eventful
tuesday, i had an annual colonoscopy. so i had to rest during the night. i just dozed off few times and just watched some tv.
wednesday, i started my fitness with a trainer. i'm hoping to work with a trainer 3 times a week. and go to the gym on my own to do cardio, once a week. hopefully by getting back into shape, losing weight, i could feel better of myself. it's been off and on that i tried to be physically in shape. this year and continuing on in my life to do so. on wednesday, i slowly taken steps to reaching my dream. and so we come to thursday, it's interesting how things breakdown and what needs to be done. like getting the car maintinanced and certain things need to purchased. well i'm not sure what the night will be like but it's another night.

dialogue of faith

as usual my sunday is full. going to the three different churches is good but i think it may hurt me in the end. i'm not sure why i even go to holy trinity. i love the liturgy, the worship, however at times i haven't felt welcomed by the ppl at church. i always come out refreshed and ready to face another week. yet at coffee time it is almost squashed. i always am lost to talk with somebody. and with the japanese church, i go to attend the men's study group. this sunday was interesting, we had a dialogue of the church and how it's accepted certain ppl. i won't go into details but i've learned something new. i didn't realize that the baptist church does not extend membership to ppl who were infant baptized. and only accepts adult baptism. this has made it difficult for some church members to get membership with the church. it's not important however we must remember that the local church is part of the bigger church. the bigger church being that all believers belong to the church of Jesus. the church of God, the Holy Spirit. a church that includes catholics, anglicans, orthodox, other protestants etc. anyone who believes in the way, belongs to this church. now going back to my day.
final stop is almost always at sol cafe. a group of diverse ppl. the discussion was on science and freud. it was a heated discussion. afterwards i was sharing my thoughts with some ppl, and realized something about myself. i sometimes could dampen talks. i drown out ppl and not able to draw out ppl. there's so much i need to improve. i need to be cautious and careful when i talk. it seems only at sol and with men's group that i get to voice anything in english. other times it's in japanese. and i feel that my english speaking ability is losing out. i hope that i have some opportunities to talk in english. and so my day closed out with watching some "simpsons" that aired in 2005, and a japanese drama. now i'm writing on monday, there's lots to think and pray about.

a new me

well i've decided this year to get into shape. i've got a membership with a fitness centre. and tomorrow off to book for a year with a personal trainer. i've been off and on with exercising. and this year, is the year i hope to see changes.
also another challenge this year is to actually go on a date. i haven't really being on one. and this year i hope to go out, and go out on a date.
slowly, i hope to change my attitude. from someone who has been passive to someone assertive, outgoing, thoughtful. so if anyone notices something different, well i hope i'm doing best.
also, i can't do this on my own, i need God's help as well from others. i want to thank for friendship and hope to continue good relationship and renew some old. take care and hope the best for the rest.

new year's day

well it's officially the year 2006. the year of the dog, winter olympics and the world cup. my mother was born in the year of the dog almost xxyears ago. i have interest in the olympics because i have high hope for the men and women hockey team. and world cup, i'm cheering for japan and brasil. (even though they are in the same group)
aside from what's going on this year. i hope to change some aspects of myself. the one thing that i will continue is my relationship with God. this is the first and foremost important thing. from continuing a healthy, vibrant relationship with God, all other change will come out. and so i hope to get better physically, to listen to people, to serve others, to change my mindset from negative to positive. with God's help i hope that i could make small changes in my life. God is dangerous but He is loving. as i prayed to God in the morning, i know that change takes time. i will have to invite God to take control of certain things in my life.
now aside from this resolution notes, i turn to the day in general. i stayed up well after midnight and after dropping off friends. i did get to an early service at holy trinity. i had a hard time staying awake. after service i came home and slept till after 1400. after getting up i headed out to the japanese church. i came just at the end of the message. i stayed for mochi and then i went to my friend's house. it was nice to spend the evening listening to ppl's stories. it was good times and couldn't believe that i stayed for long. i saw some old pictures from 15years or so of ppl from the japanese church. so much change, physically and also the fact many ppl in the photos has gone to different churches. as i write this, i should remind that all of us belong in the big church family of Jesus. and even though we are in different places, we are still a family. my hope this year is that the family will increase. and that i continue friendship intact and precious.